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UNIVERSITY OE CALIFORNIA-EXPERIMENT STATION 
Kildeer ( Oxyechus vociferus). —Back brown; underparts white; black ring 
around neck and black band on breast. Usually seen in the vicinity of 
ponds and lakes; runs rapidly on ground and is noisy on the wing. Per¬ 
manently resident. Feeds on snails, worms, and small insects obtained on 
moist ground. Beneficial to agriculture. 
Valley Quail ( Lophortyx californica). —Helmet-like topknot drooping over 
bill; general tone of coloration gray; white and black markings on head 
and throat; breast slaty; rest of underparts scaled with black; brown spot 
on belly. Usually seen on ground in brushy areas, vineyards, orchards, and 
grain fields. Permanently resident. Food chiefly weed seeds but some 
insects are taken; a fine game bird. 
f 
Western Mourning Dove ( Zcnaiduva viadroura niavgiuclla ).—Olive brown; tail 
long and pointed, broadly tipped with white on each side; sides of neck 
iridescent purplish and greenish. Usually found feeding on ground in open 
fields; when at rest perched in trees. A summer visitant, but winters to 
some extent in southern California. Eats quantities of weed seeds and hence 
is beneficial to agriculture; considered a game bird in California. 
Turkey Vulture or Turkey Buzzard ( Cathartcs aura scptcntrionalis) Large, 
black, with red featherless head. Usually seen flying high in air with 
motionless wings. A summer visitant in northern California, but perma¬ 
nently resident in southern California and in the interior valleys. Valuable 
as a scavenger; feeds on carrion. 
Western Bed-tailed Hawk ( Butco borealis calurus). —Large, brown bird 
uually seen circling high in air with set wings. Permanently resident. 
Valuable as a destroyer of rodent and insect pests; seldom if ever attacks 
poultry. 
