Call Note of the Female California Quail
Call Note of the Female California Quail
In September, 1911, a stroll through the Belvedere garden was suddenly interrupted by the calling of Quail (Lophortyx c. californica), and shortly four of these birds sailed across the road, scattering within a few feet of the observer.
One bird lit on the bare, horizontal trunk of a small live-oak and in such a manner as to permit the noting of every plumage detail of an adult hen. A cock soon came strutting along the gravelled path and, properly posing himself, gave the familiar call of "all is well." The supposed hen immediately replied in like manner, and in so doing not only assumed the call pose of the male, but also clearly showed the usual accompanying head and throat movements. The call was repeated several times, and the record is positive.
A similar experience was enjoyed in the same garden a few years ago, and within thirty feet of the foregoing observation, but unfortunately the details of the record were lost in the conflagration of 1906.
Were the females in question favored with individual vocal gifts or were they males in female attire?
