This is Bird Note.

Does this bird seem to be saying Chicago, Chicago?

Don't be misled. This small ground bird, the California quail, is strictly a bird of the far west.

The California quail's gray and rusty-colored body is beautifully adorned. And the most distinctive characteristic of this quail is a black forward-facing top nut

that shuts out from the bird's forehead like a small flag.

Although quail can fly short distances, they spend most of their time on the ground foraging for food. When they're threatened, they scurry into thick brush. Quail build their well-concealed nests right on the ground, which can hold from one to 24 eggs. 24? Yes, the large clutches may include eggs from more than one female. Immediately after

hatching, the chicks follow their parents around the neighborhood scratching for food. Two or more

quail families may join together to form a covey of quail. With such a large extended family, it's not surprising when a male

California quail hops up onto a stump to gather the covey together with this rallying call.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.

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