A method distinguishing mountain and valley quail by skeletal analysis

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Source:

California Fish and Game, Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Natural Resources Agency, State of California, Volume 48, Issue 2, p.117-121 (1962)

Call Number:

A62MEA01IDUS

Keywords:

California Quail, Callipepla californica, Lophortyx californica, Mountain Quail, Oreortyx pictus

Abstract:

The geographic ranges of the mountain quail (Oreortyx picta) and the valley quail (Lophortyx californica) frequently overlap. For this reason, an ecologist working on a population study, a naturalist or a paleontologist might wish to distinguish these species on the basis of skeletal remains. This paper proposes a method of identifying a single specimen without the use of other known skeletons for comparison.