Ingestion of Lead Pellets by Scaled Quail (Callipepla Squamata) and Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) in Southeastern New Mexico‪.‬

ABSTRACT. -- Examination of gizzards collected from 226 scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) and III northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in 1985, 1986, and 1987, revealed that one scaled quail and two northern bobwhite had ingested lead pellets and that one northern bobwhite had ingested two steel pellets. Analyses of the livers of 155 scaled quail and 96 northern bobwhite revealed that 12 (4.8 percent) contained concentrations of lead greater than seven parts per million wet weight (range, eight to 40). There was a difference (P 0.05) in lead content of livers between 1985-1986 (when lead shotshells were used to collect specimens) and 1987 (when steel shotshells were used) for scaled quail and northern bobwhite. For 1985, scaled quail taken in August contained more lead in their livers than those taken in October. Statistical comparisons among scaled quail, northern bobwhite, and mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) from the same study area revealed no differences in lead among species. Though there is a large amount of lead available to gamebirds in southeastern New Mexico, relatively few contained significant amounts of lead. Key words: lead poisoning; Callipepla squamata; Colinus virginianus; Zenaida macroura; New Mexico. **********