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132 THE CONDOR Vol. XIV decrease of birds in general and of these birds in particular, and to offer, if possible, some suggestions as to ways and means of conserving this valuable game bird. The sincere thanks of the writer are due Professor C. A. Kc;foid, Professor J. C. Merriam, Professor W. E. Ritter, and Mr. Joseph Grinnell, of the Uni- versity of California, for their helpful criticism and suggestions during the preparation of the present paper. Three different species of quail are found within the confines of the State of California, the mountain quail (Oreortyx picta), the California valley quail (Lophortyx californica), and the Gambel or desert quail (Lophortyx gambeli). The first is distinctly a high mountain bird and is seldom found below 3000 feet elevation. The Gambel quail is known only in the southeastern part of the state, where it replaces the valley quail on the desert. The California valley quail is by far the most abundant of the species. Three geographical races, or sub-species of this species, varying slightly in color, are recognized. As these races do not differ in habits they are not distinguished in this paper. It is always a difficult matter to obtain any adequate idea of the numbers of any species of bird because, as a rule, little reliance can be placed on the opinions of different observers. What might seem a large number to one ob- server might seem a very small number to another. In order that some idea of the numbers of quail at the present time, compared with the numbers of several years ago, might be obtained, the Fish and Game Commission sent out lists of questions to its deputies throughout the state. By plotting the reports of the deputies on the map of the state, it is easily seen that the two places where there is a consensus of opinion that quail have decreased, are southern California and the upper part of the San Joaquin Valley. (See map, fig. 57.) The reason for the decrease in these particular localities can easily be traced to the hunter. Southern California is well populated and has at least a due proportion of hunters, as is shown by the sale of hunting licenses, over 12,500 being sold in 1910. The hunting grounds easily accessible from the bay cities naturally show a decrease also. The intensive cultivation in these same localities causes a destruction of food and cover, essential to the maintenance of quail. The answers also show that whereas in some localities there has been a decided decrease, in other localities the birds have either held their own or have increased. Since many of the deputies have only been acquainted with their particular locality for ten years, the records, in most cases, give an idea of the status for this length of time only. When descriptions of the numbers of quail existing twenty years ago are -compared with present conditions, it must be admitted that there are many less quail at the present time. Mr. T. S. Van Dyke, writing in Outing in 1890, says: "The statement may seem extravagant, but for many years it was a sim- ple matter for a good shot to bag 200 in a day, all at single shots on the wing. For several years market shooters shipped an average of 10,000 apiece for the season. This hoggish work, with the number crippled and finally killed, has greatly reduced their numbers." Mr. C. H. Shinn, writing in the same year, in giving the records of two hunters at San Diego, says: "In eighteen consecutive hunts the smallest bag consisted of forty-seven quail and five rabbits; one of the largest bags com- prised 187 quail, 8 doves, and 1 rabbit, and no less than six bags ran far above a