The California Quail - by A Starker Leopold (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

We all recognize the California Quail, with its striking good looks and mellow call notes. Widely distributed along the whole Pacific Coast, it has long been of interest to bird-lovers, sportsmen, ranchers, and wildlife biologists. In early times it was an important food source, and stocks were rapidly depleted by market hunters. Today its populations are being restored through the efforts of both private land-owners and government agencies.

This comprehensive report summarizes what is known about the history, biology, and management of the species. It recounts the impact of settlement on quail, it describes the quail's intriguing social life, covey relationships, nesting behavior, and habitat requirements. Males, for example, play an important role in chick-rearing; chemical compounds in food substantially influence the nesting success of females. A major part of this book tells how to provide proper over, food, and drinking water that are needed to increase quail populations, whether for hunting or for observation and enjoyment. The suggestions offered stem from decades of scientific research and practical management effort.

Written by a renowned wildlife biologist who worked on the quail for many years, this volume will be the definitive work from both the natural history and game management points of view. It is copiously illustrated with photographs and drawings, and will be of use to anyone who wishes to understand and foster the state bird.

Review Quotes

"Hopefully, this book will spark considerable interest among land managers throughout the range of the California Quail, and prompt them to set aside habitat for this species. The lessons provided in this book also have applicability throughout North America and beyond; one can substitute any species for the quail and apply the same principles expounded here equally well. The second section of the book will appeal to ornithologists in general in its summation of the salient data on the biology of this bird. The many, as yet unanswered, questions about "the natural controls over population numbers in this fascinating species" should stimulate us to further research efforts,"-- "Wilson Bulletin"

"More than a single-species book; it is practical field ecology with multiple lessons for anyone interested in land and wildlife."-- "Ecology"

"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."-- "Journal of Wildlife Management"

"The combination of such an evocative species and an experienced wildlife biologist, like Starker Leopold, holds much promise, and the reader is not likely to be disappointed. This book is an outstanding example of a readable, yet scholarly and factual, life history account that will be of interest to not only professional ornithologists and wildlife managers, but also to amateur naturalists."-- "The Auk"

"This will be the definitive work on this game species and its management."-- "Pacific Discovery"

"Very readable . . . an intensive, comprehensive review of the life history, population ecology, and management of this species that is clearly understandable to the ornithologist, game manager, and knowledgeable layman."-- "Journal of the West"

About the Author

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.