232 The California Quail 



that it is almost impossible to see them ; while, if you do happen to get 

 your eye on one, he seems to know it on the instant, and is off like a 

 shot. Their power of concealment is remarkable under any circum- 

 stances. Even on the barest sort of ground, where perhaps a dry sea- 

 son has allowed of but little growth of grass, and that little has been 

 gnawed off by the hungry cattle until only a few shreds of fine straw 

 lie on the ground, the Quail will take advantage of a little hollow no 

 bigger than the palm of one's hand, or a stick, bit of stone, anything at 

 all, and become invisible. 



The California Quail does not eat many harmful insects, but is of 

 much benefit as a destroyer of weed-seeds. It is fond 

 o g ra i n> an( j ma y scratch up and eat a little in a sown 

 grainfield, before and after the grain has sprouted ; 

 but even then it is eating a lot of weed-seeds as well, and does much 

 good in other places and at other times of year. 



When present in large numbers, it will eat a lot of grain that has 

 fallen on the ground after harvest, and which would be picked up by hogs 

 or sheep in the usual method of farming, but it does very little damage 

 to the standing grain. 



The principal complaint against the Quail is from the vineyard men. 

 The bird seems to delight in vineyards, and often large flocks will make 

 their abode therein, possibly as much for the cover and protection from 

 hawks as for the fruit itself. Whichever it is, many grapes are pecked 

 as they ripen, when the "yellow-jackets" (a kind of wasp) begin work 

 at the opening made by the Quail, and soon leave nothing but the empty 

 skin. Only a few may be pecked in a bunch, but it injures the value 

 and weight of it. However, it is more likely that other birds do a good 

 deal of damage for which the poor Quail is blamed. 



Classification and Distribution 



The California or Mountain Quail belongs to the Order Gallince, and to the 

 Family Odontophoridce. Its scientific name is Lophortyx californica californica. 

 A subspecies, the Valley Quail, is named L. c. vallicola. It inhabits the Pacific 

 Coast region between Oregon and the southern part of California. 



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 Audabon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Lists given on request. 



