A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WATER BALANCE IN 3 SPECIES OF QUAIL .I. WATER TURNOVER IN ABSENCE OF TEMPERATURE STRESS

1. 1. Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), California (Lophortyx californicus), and Gambel's quail (Lophortyx gambelii) which generally occupy humid, mesic and xeric areas, respectively, were compared with respect to water balance. Total daily water turnover (6-10 per cent of body weight) determined from measurements of all major avenues of water input and water output, was similar in these species during ad lib. consumption of distilled water. 2. 2. During water limitation or deprivation, these species show degrees of physiological adaptation to water shortage that are correlated with the availability of water in their usual habitats. Minimum water requirements of quail are one-quarter to one-third of the ad lib. water input. © 1969.