A Probable Hybrid Between the California Quail and the Texas Bob-White
A Probable Hybrid between the California Quail and the Texas Bob-white
On August 10, 1930, while preparing captive-bred California Quail for release, I discovered an individual that appeared to be a hybrid between the California Quail (Lophortyx californica) and the Texas Bob-white (Colinus virginianus texanus). This bird was placed aside for examination at some later time but unfortunately was released before this examination was made. A description of its characters, therefore, depends upon memory of the few observations made originally.
The beak was heavier, blunter, and the upper mandible more rounded, than in the California Quail and was typically that of the Bob-white. A short topknot or plume of the type found in the California Quail was present, although a whitish throat and line over the eye gave the head a Bob-white appearance. The rest of the bird presented a generally similar combination of characters of the two species. This individual was possibly the offspring of a single female Texas Bob-white which had been confined in a pen with approximately four male and eight female California Quail.
This observation is offered with the realization that it is quite problematical but with the hope that it will stimulate watchfulness on the part of game propagators for the occurrence of another such case of hybridization.
Lawrence V. Compton
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Bevketey, November 7, 1931
