232 
The California Quail 
Eating 
Weed-Seeds 
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 
of grain, and may 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 Gallin<^, and to the 
Family Odontophoridce. Its scientific name is Lophortyx calif ornica calif arnica. 
A subspecies, the Valley Quail, is named L. c. vallicola. It inhabits the Pacific 
Coast region between Oregon and the southern part of California. 
This and other Educational Leaiiets are for sale, at 5 cents each, by the National Association of 
Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Lists given on request. 
