Vol. XXXIl 

 1914 J 



FiGGiNS, UUraminute Distinctions. 



69 



Sex. Locality. 



9 01athe Delta Co. 



(( (( 



9 " 



9 " 



9 Cedaredge, 



9 



9 



9 



9 Grand Junction 



9 " " 



Q " " 



Average Male. 



Minimum. 



Maximum. 



Average Female. 



Minimum. 



Maximum. 



10.78 4.50 3.69^ 1.08 1.35 .34^ 

 10.29 4.23 3.09 1.00 1.27 .32 

 11.50 4.70 4.10 1.15 1.45 .38 



Comparative average of California and Colorado Specimens. 



Males from California 

 " Colorado 

 Females from California 

 " Colorado 

 Comparative differences in Males 



" Females 



Note. Since the length measurements of California specimens are 

 without value through being taken from dried skins, comparison is omitted. 



In considering the causes of the changes that have taken place 

 in Gambel's Quail since its introduction into Colorado, perhaps 

 the most important are food, climate and environment. The wide 

 range of the species in California imposes like conditions and hence 

 the differences in the birds there, as noted above. The question, 

 therefore arises, what constitutes a subspecies? A great number 

 of the recent subdivisions are based on far less evidence and reason 

 than is apparent in this example of introduced birds. If the ex- 

 tremists are justified in their activities are not the Colorado birds 

 entitled to subdivision? If not, why not? 

 Is it not time to return to sanity? 



