1913 BIRDS OF THE FRESNO DISTRICT 33 



sportsmen, agriculturists, tourists, and the city dweller, as "quail", without any 

 descriptive or qualifying prefix. 



Formerly a resident of the foothills, it is very fortunate for the future wel- 

 fare of the species that it early learned of the protection afforded by the large 

 vineyards now so numerous throughout the valley. For many years it has been 

 so thoroughly established in these cultivated areas that we may expect ti, under 

 the present excellent game laws, not only to hold its own in such places but ac- 

 tually to increase, while those individuals that choose to remain in their original 

 habitat seem to be gradually diminishing in numbers. The reasons for this are 

 evident when we consider that the majority of vineyardists consider the quail a 

 beneficial bird, and absolutely forbid shooting on their land. This fact, together 

 with the abundant food supply, safe retreats in which to nest, and, last but by no 

 means least, the dangers from hawks and predaceous mammals reduced to a min- 

 imum, makes the struggle for existence here much less severe than in the hills. 



Another place in the county must be mentioned where the bird is to be found, 

 and where it would hardly be expected to occur. In the swampy areas around 

 Wheatville and Riverdale, where rank grass and willow-lined sloughs seem to 

 suggest Green Herons and blackbirds, the quail finds a not less pleasant home. 



While driving along a nearly submerged road near Wheatville, July 13, 

 191 1, a quail flew from a willow, and whizzing out over the water alighted in a 

 clump of marsh grass. Black Terns were calling nearby, and the numerous Blue 

 Herons standing hip deep in the overflowed alfalfa fields made a scene sugges- 

 tive of anything but quail. 



As a destroyer of various caterpillars and ants the quail takes high rank, 

 and a flock of these birds about a vineyard or orchard is of inestimable value in 

 reducing the number of bugs. Fortunately this fact is recognized by many farm- 

 ers and fruit growers although we hear an occasional complaint of the grapes 

 being picked open and raisins scattered from the trays by the quail. The cut- 

 worms, which cause such havoc to the vines at times, are eagerly sought for, and 

 the little hollows scratched at the bases of vines, so often to be seen in spring are 

 evidences of the work of this, our proverbial "early bird". 



Besides a diet of insects, this quail is very fond of seeds and grain, and in 

 late autumn birds are often seen with crops crammed to their full capacity with 

 various weed seeds. 



In March or early April the large flocks of quail break up, and pairs are to 

 be seen running across the roads, investigating gardens and berry patches, and 

 calling cheerily as they search for nesting sites. At this time they become much 

 more fearless, often coming almost to the doorsteps of dwellings. About this 

 time a rather curious trait becomes noticeable, that of dropping eggs indiscrimi- 

 nately on the ground. So common is this habit that a walk through a field or 

 vineyard frequented by quail is almost sure to reveal one or more of these eggs 

 lying on the bare ground, and through the month of April the author has often 

 picked up half a dozen of them. The most reasonable theory to account for this, 

 it seems to me, is to be inferred from the fact that our quail prefer for a nest- 

 ing site, more than anything else, the shade of a large grape vine the foliage of 

 which extends to the ground and aft"ords a cool retreat where they can nest in 

 comparative security. At the time eggs are found scattered about, the grape 



