A Comparison Of The Late Winter Foods And Parasites Of Bobwhite Quail And Black Francolins In Southwestern Louisiana

During 1961 and 1962, 311 wild-trapped black francolins (Francolinus francolinus asiae) from India were released in the Gum Cove area of Cameron Parish in southwest Louisiana. A substantial bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) population was present on the release site. In 1967, ten francolins and ten quail were collected for comparison of food habits and parasite fauna. Differences in food habits were noted but an occasional preference of francolins and of bobwhites for the same food items was revealed. This was not believed to be a limiting factor for either population. Parasite burdens were generally low, and the parasite fauna of each species was quite distinct.