The California quail（Callipepla californica），also known as the valley quail or Lophortyx californica vallicola（Name used by ****ey），became the official state bird in 1931．A widely distributed and prized game bird，it is known for its hardiness（耐久力，顽强）and adaptability（适应性）．Plump，gray－colored and smaller than a pigeon，the California quail sports a downward curving black plume（羽毛）on top of its head and black bib with white stripe under the beak．Flocks number from a few to 60or more in the fall and winter months，but in the spring break into pairs．They nest in hollows scratched in the ground and concealed by foliage（树叶，植物），and their eggs，6to 28in number，are creamy white and thickly spotted with golden brown．
Of all the birds native to the sate of California，none is more universally enjoyed and appreciated than the California Valley Quail．The handsome plumage，pert demeanor（行为，风度），and melodious（音调优美的）calls are appealing to everyone fortunate enough to know the species，and is it is not surprising that in 1931the State Legislature by unanimous（意见一致的，无异议的）acclamation declared the California quail to be the State Bird of California（Leopold，1977）．This attractive bird is known by many names，including，California partridge，Catalina quail，Topknot quail and Valley Quail．It is known commonly in California as the Valley quail，to distinguish it from the Mountain quail；but ornithologists（鸟类学者）now recognize two subspecies（［生］亚种），the California quail and the Valley quail，both entirely distinct from the Mountain quail（Forbush，1917）．
The range of this quail is made up of varied topography（地形学）and climatical conditions．It is found from Baja California，Mexico，up through the western states into Canada．Its eastward range goes as for as Nevada，Utah and Idaho with introductions in Colorado．
In captivity（囚禁，被关），the California quail is one of the easier quail to get to breed．They are by nature very nervous and thus do not do as well in small cages as some of the other quail．It is believed they do much better on the ground if you have a drier climate or if you make dry ground available for them．Many are raised on wire every year so there is no hard rule about them．
State Flower州花
加州印第安人把罂粟视为食物的来源和作为从植物中提取的油。它的植物学名字是由普鲁士科学研究院的成员Adelbert Von Chamisso所命名的，1861年他行船来到旧金山的一个海湾上，周围满山金黄色花。这种花也被称为火焰花，它在1903年成为州花。每年4月6日是加州罂粟节。威尔逊州长1996年宣布5月13—18为罂粟周。
More than a hundred years ago on December 12，1890，the California State Floral Society cast their votes to designate an official flower for California．The three flowers to be voted upon included the California poppy（Eschscholzia californica），the Mariposa lily（Calochortus），and the Matilija poppy（Romneya coulteri）．
California Indians cherished the poppy as both a source of food and for oil extracted from the plant．Its botanical（植物学的）name，Eschsholtzia californica，was given by Adelbert Von Chamisso，a naturalist and member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences，who dropped anchor in San Francisco in 1816in a bay surrounded by hills of the golden flowers．Also sometimes known as the flame flower，la amapola，and copa de oro（cup of gold），the poppy grows wild throughout California．It became the state flower in 1903．Every year April 6is California Poppy Day，and Governor Wilson proclaimed May 13—18，1996，Poppy Week．
Only three persons voted for the Mariposa Lily，whereas no votes were cast for the Matilija Poppy（often called the giant poppy）．Consequently，the California Poppy won the esteemed（尊敬）title of “Official California State Flower”by an overwhelming landslide．Research shows that the California Poppy had been first depicted（描述，描写）more than 70years earlier，and that it had a horticultural（园艺的）history of approximately 64years．It seems very fitting to me that this state’s official flower is golden in color．For who doesn’t associate “gold”with California？And who doesn’t recall the many tales that have been told—some true，others perhaps fable—about the great California Gold Rush！Then there is California’s renown nickname（绰号，昵称）of “The Golden State”—****** one think of sunshine and golden sandy beaches！
Since the California poppy is California’s official state flower，it is protected by state law prohibiting persons from picking or destroying it．As with many other native flowers across America，some are subject to becoming endangered species because of the destruction of their habitats through land development and construction projects．So always remember，when you see this lovely flower and you’re tempted to pick it or dig it up for your own garden，you risk being fined by the state of California．It’s best to purchase seeds or seedlings（秧苗，树苗）from a licensed nursery for planting in your own flower beds！
State Flag州旗
在1846年6月14日，一小帮殖民者举着历史上的熊旗，押着战俘Mariano Vallejo行进在森诺玛墨西哥要塞。他们发表宣言，宣布加州是独立的共和政体。在匆忙设计完旗帜之后，旗子上图案的一只灰熊和一个五角星，还有一个长条，上面写着：加州共和政体，这次起义就是有名的熊旗起义。灰熊是力量的象征。此旗一直使用到1846年7月9日，那时墨西哥和美国已处于战时状态。不久之后，熊旗被美国国旗所取代。在1911年它被州立法机关定为州旗。
Historic Bear Flag raised at Sonoma on June 14，1846，a small band of settlers marched on the Mexican garrison（驻军，要塞）at Sonoma and took the commandant（司令官），Mariano Vallejo，prisoner，They issued a proclamation which declared California to be a Republic independent of Mexico．This uprising became known as the Bear Flag Revolt（起义）after the hastily designed flag depicting a grizzly bear（大灰熊）and a five pointed star over a red bar and the words “California Republi”．The grizzly bear was a symbol of great strength while the lone star made reference to the lone（独立的）Star of Texas．The flag only flew until July 9，1846when it was learned that Mexico and the United States were already at war．Soon after，the Bear Flag was replaced with the American flag．It was adopted as the State Flag by the State Legislature in 1911．
Song State州歌
L Love You California
I love you，California，you’re the greatest state of all
I love you in the winter，summer，spring，and in the fall．
I love your fertile valleys；
your dear mountains I adore（崇拜，爱慕），
I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged
（高低不平的，崎岖的）shore．
CHORUS
I love your redwood（〈美〉［植］红杉，红木树）
