A Late Spring and a Late Quail Hatch

The number of quail that hatch, and live until the hunting season is determined by several factors. Weather is the most widespread of these factors. (Stoddard, 1936). A study was made in 1950 and 1951 to learn how variations in the weather correspond to variations in the Iowa quail populations

Bobwhite Quail, Winter Weather and Agriculture

Bobwhite quail are still found in most of their historic range which extends north into Minnesota. The best Iowa populations are in the three southern tiers of Iowa counties. Their peak abundance occurred before 1900. Long cold winters and deep snows usually decrease quail numbers. However, in the best brushy cover near grain fields, they have persisted in good numbers even though the bitter cold winters of 1912, 1936 and 1960. The 1960 winter losses were estimated at about 70 per cent in scanty cover, but as low as 10 percent in high quality cover

A Late Spring and a Late Quail Hatch

The number of quail that hatch, and live until the hunting season is determined by several factors. Weather is the most widespread of these factors. (Stoddard, 1936). A study was made in 1950 and 1951 to learn how variations in the weather correspond to variations in the Iowa quail populations

Quail Hatching and Primary Feather Moult in Adults

This study was made to determine causes of changes in the young to adult ratio in quail shot by Iowa hunters. A total of 13,206 wings was collected from 1952 to 1959. Age of young and stage of moult in adults were determined by primary feather development. The hatching period was indicated by the age of young. Early brooding adults were first to mature the flight feathers. Late moulting adults were poor flyers and were easily taken by hunters

Removal of Brushy and Wooded Quail Habitat in Three Southern Iowa Counties in Recent Years

In southern Iowa there are still remnants of once extensive brushy upland game cover. Cost-share and privately financed brush removal programs, however, are further reducing the amount of remaining game cover. Three counties are considered here. Davis, Monroe and Wapello counties had some federally assisted clearing on 490 farms in the past 4 years. On 14 farms (1,820 acres) in Wapello County, since 1956, 82 acres of woody cover were removed by all methods. This included 25% of the choice quality upland game cover

History of Prairie Chickens in Iowa

The peak period for prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) in Iowa was about 1880 when 69% of the state was in farms. They were found in prairie areas throughout the state. Hunters found this grouse ideal game and bags of 25 to 50 per day were easily taken. Market hunters frequently killed 200 or more per day. Farmers trapped and shot the birds to sell or to eat. As long as marginal prairie areas were only lightly disturbed by agriculture, the prairie chickens held on, but when intensive farming began, the birds nested in hayfields or in over-grazed pastures where brooding was unsuccessful. By 1900, 90% of the state was in farms and birds were vanishing. A few remained until 1954 in a poorly drained portion of Appanoose County. Since then only occasional strays have been reported

Of Keeping and Tipping the Balance: Host Regulation and Viral Modulation of IRF3-Dependent IFNB1 Expression

The type I interferon (IFN) response is a principal component of our immune system that allows to counter a viral attack immediately upon viral entry into host cells. Upon engagement of aberrantly localised nucleic acids, germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors convey their find via a signalling cascade to prompt kinase-mediated activation of a specific set of five transcription factors. Within the nucleus, the coordinated interaction of these dimeric transcription factors with coactivators and the basal RNA transcription machinery is required to access the gene encoding the type I IFN IFNβ (IFNB1). Virus-induced release of IFNβ then induces the antiviral state of the system and mediates further mechanisms for defence. Due to its key role during the induction of the initial IFN response, the activity of the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is tightly regulated by the host and fiercely targeted by viral proteins at all conceivable levels. In this review, we will revisit the steps enabling the trans-activating potential of IRF3 after its activation and the subsequent assembly of the multi-protein complex at the IFNβ enhancer that controls gene expression. Further, we will inspect the regulatory mechanisms of these steps imposed by the host cell and present the manifold strategies viruses have evolved to intervene with IFNβ transcription downstream of IRF3 activation in order to secure establishment of a productive infection

The Value of Data From Four Iowa Quail Seasons

In the Iowa Conservation Laws, Section 109.39 titled Biological Balance Maintained is this sentence: The seasons, bag limits, possession limits, and territorial limitations set forth herein shall prevail for each and every species of wildlife to which they pertain as long as the biological balance for each species or kind remain such as to assure the maintenance of an adequate supply of such species. Outstanding among sports activities in southern Iowa is quail hunting. In order to maintain this sport at the highest possible level it is necessary to make regulations. As a sound basis for regulating, the commission must be furnished by the biology section, with continuous accurate information. The quail territory lies southeast of a line running north east from Shenandoah through Cedar Rapids. Officers in the counties in the quail territory furnish information on general quail conditions. Additional checks are made by the biologist. To be considered are brood size, and whether or not the population is distributed in the same density as in other years. Findings for the year are compiled and should data indicate favorable comparison with the previous season a similar season is recommended by the Biology Section

Penned Game Birds in Dieldrin Treated Fields

Granular dieldrin was applied by air to control Japanese beetles. Fourteen pheasants and 12 quail in four pens were exposed to the application. Nearby were wild quail, songbirds and starlings, but no pheasants. Later, remains of some wild birds were seen or reported. Nine quail and one starling posted at Ames had lesions similar to those in birds affected by toxemia. One quail that died before the operation and two pheasants that were examined did not show these lesions

Conservation and the Biology Teacher

Conservation practices are based on a need to retain the best features of soils, plants, and animals. These are the raw materials of commerce. Commercialization has accelerated until most land areas are now exploited