1914 J FiGGiNS, Ultraminute Distinctions. 63 



importance than the present-day Hterature on birds; and it will be 

 necessary to study the subject through the use of charts resembling 

 contour maps or weather report bulletins. 



That slight physical differences, even with a geographical in- 

 terval, are insufficient grounds for separation seems conclusively 

 proven through the examination of a series of Gambel's Quail 

 {Lophortyx gambeli) from western Colorado. 



With a view of accounting for the presence of these birds in 

 Colorado and possibly arriving at some conclusion regarding the 

 causes of the changes hereafter described, a short history and de- 

 scription of the region is perhaps not amiss. 



Accepting the various authorities as correct in believing the 

 California Quail (Lophortyx c. californica) had been introduced in 

 the neighborhood of Grand Junction, a search was made for speci- 

 mens, and while the literature agrees that the experiment had 

 proven highly successful, no evidence of the presence of these birds 

 was found. Quail were abundant, however; but specimens taken 

 at Olathe, Montrose Co. were obviously more nearly referable to 

 gambeli, though the differences in measurements and coloration 

 seemed to point to the possibility of a subspecies. Additional 

 specimens were then taken at Cedaredge, Delta Co., and Grand 

 Junction, Mesa Co., and in view of the seeming total absence of 

 californica, it is reasonable to suppose gambeli and not californica 

 was introduced there. 



While this may be regarded as sufficient evidence to correct the 

 error in identification, of more importance is the significance of the 

 changes that have taken place during the period of introduction, 

 and which seems to have an, important and direct bearing on the 

 question of separations based on minute distinctions. 



Having failed to establish the Bobwhite in western Colorado, the 

 gentlemen interested in the introduction then secured nearly one 

 thousand quail from California, which they liberated 'at or near 

 Montrose, Montrose Co.'^ 



1 Contrary to the literature and general belief, investigation proves conclusively 

 the original lot of birds were liberated at Montrose and not Grand Junction. 

 Evidence of this is found in the official records of Montrose Co. with the date, 

 1885, and the names of the gentlemen financing the undertalcing. Unfortunately 

 the record does not give the exact locality from which the birds were taken, and 

 extensive correspondence has not revealed additional information. 



