end weed seeds predominated, while in less settled districts the seeds of 
legumes (Mimosaceae, Cassiaceae, and Fabaceee) predominated. Littié fruit 
was taken. Considerable young green herbage wes eaten (9.52 percent) in 
winter and early spring. 
On the besis of the material examined, it appears that the scaled 
quail eats more animal matter than the vobwhite, G@émbel's queil, or tne 
California que@il. Owing to its feeding on grassnoppers, plant bugs, scale 
insects, ground beetles, and weevils, the scaled quail may be of real 
service in agricultural areas as a natural check on these pests. 
The food of 9 young scaled quail consisted mostly of animal matter 
(71.17 percent), chiefly grasshoppers, locusts, beetles, and plant bugs. 
Most of the vegetable food (28.83 percent) consisted of seeds. 
It is hoped that those interested in the preservation and increase 
of scaled Quail will find the information contained herein useful. The 
investigation has shown (1) the items that serve as food at different 
seasons; (2) that the bird eats a great variety of seeds of wild plants 
and insects; and (3) that it readily accepts seeds of certain crops or of 
plants incidentally introduced by man. From these facts areas may be 
judged as to their suitability for scaled quail, and ways devised to in- 
crease the food supply and cover. On the other hand, it should not be 
assumed that the chances of food shortage are slight because a great 
variety of seeds is acceptable. The birds have competitors in the many 
memmals that consume large quantities of. seeds and seed—bearing plants; and 
grazing and drought mey reduce the crop of foods as well as the cover. 
How these factors limit quail numbers in any particular locality must be 
determined by field observation. 
wrels 
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