California Quail

Aldo Starker Leopold (1913–1983) was an author, forester, zoologist and conservationist. He also served as professor at the University of California, Berkeley for thirty years. Throughout his life, Leopold was active in numerous wildlife and conservation groups throughout the United States.

"The avowed objective of the author of this book was "to assemble in one set of covers all that is known to date about the ecology, natural history, and management of the species." To the best of my knowledge, he has succeeded. . . . The book is highly readable, well organized, and will be of interest and value to laymen and professional wildlife managers alike."

• List of Figures and TablesPREFACEPROLOGUEBy Ian McMillanPART I. THE BIRD AND ITS HISTORYI. The Species and Its DistributionCalifornia's State BirdNative range of the species and its close relativesSubspecies of California QuailMixing genetic strains through restockingExtension of the California Quail range through transplantsThe California Quail throughout the worldCompetition with exotic game birds2. Historical PerspectivesIndian use of California QuailThe quail in colonial CaliforniaMarket hunting during the period of settlementThe quail "peak" 1860 to 1895The quail decline3. Early Efforts to Restore Quail in CaliforniaThe genesis of managementProtective regulationsQuail refugesPredator controlArtificial restockingHabitat improvementResume of management experience4. Land Use and Quail HabitatClear the valleys, graze the hillsRegional characteristics of quail rangeBasic habitat needsCoverFoodWaterChanges in crops, tillage, and grazing practice in CaliforniaQuail in the chaparralThe invasion of brome grass in western rangelandsLogging in forested areasTrends in land usePART II. NATURAL HISTORY5. Sociality in California QuailGregarious tendency in the speciesAdvantages in social organizationSentry duty of cocksCalls of the California QuailCovey formationCovey integrityCovey territorialityCovey sizeSeasonal movements of quail6. Covey Break-up and the Nesting SeasonWeakening of the covey bondPairing behaviorThe unmated cocksHormonal changes leading to reproductionDevelopment of the gonadsChanges in body weightNestingDouble-broodingNon-breeding in unfavorable yearsQuail reproduction in mesic and cool regions7. Growth and Development of the Young BroodingNutrition of young chicksThe intestinal faunaRate of growth of young quailBursa of FabriciusPlumages and moltsPlumage molt in adultsSexual maturity in California Quail8. Sex and Age Ratios and Their InterpretationSources of composition dataThe annual cycle-!Sex ratioAge ratioYear-to-year differences in productionMaximum age of quail9. Rainfall as a Factor Affecting Reproductive SuccessRainfall and quail reproduction in northern and coastal rangesRainfall and quail reproduction in arid zonesForb years vs. grass yearsPre-conditioning of breeding quailQuail nutrition and reproductionGreen food as a stimulant to breeding in desert rodentsThe possible role of steroids in regulating breedingLegume seeds as a possible stimulus to breedingRainfall as a direct stimulant to breedingConcomitant benefits of rainfall to quail reproductionRelation of population density to breeding success10. Quail MortalityMortality vs. natalityQuail predatorsDisease and parasitesAgricultural poisonsStarvationHunting as a source of mortalityMiscellaneous lossesDensity-dependent vs. density-independent mortalityPART III. QUAIL MANAGEMENT11. Supplying Cover NeedsThe strategy of managing quail rangeThe need for brush covertsBrush clearingBrush managementPlanting escape coverRoosting coverBrush pilesOther types of coverNesting coverThe significance of cover in quail management12. Making Food AvailableFood as a limiting factorFeeding habits of California QuailSeasonal changes of dietGreen foodsAgricultural crop residuesGrazing in relation to food availabilityOther cultural procedures to stimulate forb growthAugmenting food in chaparral areasArtificial feedingThe husbandry of quail range13. Supplying Drinking WaterIs water necessary?Moisture requirements of broodsNormal drinking habits of California QuailDistance traveled to waterNeed for cover near the water sourceArtificial watering devicesThe gallinaceous guzzler14. Hunting the California QuailHunting philosophyHunting rightsHunting strategyThe role of the dogReassembly of hunted coveysRecording the results of quail huntingSeason and bag limitsThe hunting kill of quail in CalifomiaPredicting the quail crop from spring call countsAllowable harvestDoes hunting endanger quail populations?15. Backyard QuailQuail for pleasureCoverFoodWaterCats and dogsA quail call at daylightEPILOGUEAPPENDICESA. Quail in Aboriginal California.By Karen M. Nissen.B. Foods of the California Quail.By Bruce M. Browning.C. Effects of Differing Rainfall on Breeding of California Quailin an Arid Environment.By Michael J. Erwin.BIBLIOGRAPHYINDEX