QUAIL-FOOD PLANTS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 3 
pine (Pinus taeda) and longleaf pine (P. australis) are probably 
used more than other species, but slash pine (P. caribaea) and yellow 
pine, or shortleaf pine (P. echinata), also rank high. Quail seem 
to be especially partial to the seeds of longleaf pine, but the supply 
from loblolly pine is more dependable. 
4. RAGWEED 
(Fig. 2, B) 
Common ragweed (Ambrosia elatior) is an abundant annual weed 
of grainfields, clearings, and roadsides and is one of the most important 
of all quail foods in fall and early winter, especially in the Piedmont. 
The height of the plants is variable but usually ranges between 1 
and 3 feet; the leaves are grayish green and much divided. Rag- 
weed volunteers in almost all rich soils that are disked or plowed 
between October 1 and March 1. The giant, or big, ragweed (A. 
trifida) 1s used comparatively little in the Southeast, probably 
because it is not nearly so prevalent as the common ragweed. 
5. BEGGARWEEDS 
(Fig. 2, C) 
Species of the genus Meibomia are numerous. The plants are 
mainly upright and bushy, usually several feet high, and have small 
purple or pink flowers and flat fruit pods, which disjoint into seg- 
ments and cling to clothing. The seeds mature late and are avail- 
able for fall and winter use. Probably all species are useful and 
valuable; M. purpurea, M. dillenn, and M. obtusa are known to 
be important quail foods. At present only the seed of M. purpurea 
can be purchased readily; this species is planted extensively in light 
soils on quail preserves of the Gulf and South Atlantic States. 
6. OAKS 
(Fig. 2, D) 
In some years acorns form one of the most important sources of 
food supply for quail. The species with small acorns, such as 
willow oak, or pin oak (Quercus phellos), and water oak (Q. nigra), 
seem to be preferred. Probably red oak (Q. rubra) and live oak 
(Q. virginiana) are used considerably. Other common oaks of the 
region also have some value, and the leaves of some of these are 
illustrated in outline. 
7. MILK PEAS 
(Fig. 3, A) 
Fourteen species of milk pea (Galactia) are listed for the South- 
east, several of them restricted to Florida. Only two, G. volubilis 
and G. regularis, are recognized as important. Where milk peas 
are plentiful, quail have shown a decided partiality for their bean- 
like seeds. They are mostly sprawling vines of sandy soils with 
three-foliate leaves and pink, purple, or white flowers. 
8. CORN 
Standing corn (Zea mays) supplies a very favorable food for 
quail. The combination of corn and weeds furnishes good pro- 
tective cover and excellent food. 
9. COWPEAS; SOYBEANS 
Bobwhites are partial at times to cowpeas (Vigna) and soybeans 
(Soja). In the warmer, humid parts of the Southeast, only mildew- 
resisting varieties of cowpeas, such as Iron and Brabham, should 
be planted for quail. 
