Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Moreau R.E. & Wayre P. (1968) On the Palaearctic quails. ARDEA 56 (3-4): 209-227
Controversy has persisted about the extent of the differentiation and the relationships between the European quail (which ranges to Lake Baikal), the mainland birds to the east of this (ussuriensis), and the Japanese birds. Characters of size, voice and plumage are considered as being of possible significance and in relation to breeding ranges. Plumage and voice distinguish European birds from both the mainland and the insular Far Eastern. Voice distinguishes mainland from insular Far Eastern to a degree that permits recognition of ussuriensis, but data from the wild populations leaves the status of the three taxa uncertain. Cross-breeding experiments with wild-taken European and 'commercial' Japanese birds have been inconsistent, one indicating a much higher incompatibility than the other. It appears that these Palaearctic quails are at an intermediate stage of differentiation, to deal with which conventional taxonomy does not suffice. More cross-breeding experiments, which should not present difficulties, are required.


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