The California quail (Lophortyx californica), also known as the valley quail,
became the official state bird in 1931. A widely distributed and prized game bird,
it is known for its hardiness and adaptability. Plump, gray-colored and smaller than a pigeon,
the California quail sports a downward curving black plume on top of its head and black bib with white stripe under the beak.
Flocks number from a few to 60 or 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, and their eggs, 6 to 28 in number,
are creamy white and thickly spotted with golden brown.
The golden poppy, white poppy, and Mariposa lily were nominated as California's
state flower early in the century. The golden, or California, poppy won by a landslide
and became the Golden State's official flower on March 2, 1903.
The Greek word "Eureka" has appeared on the state seal since 1849 and means "I have found it".
The words were probably intended to refer to the discovery of gold in California. Archimedes,
the famed Greek mathematician, is said to have exclaimed "Eureka!" when, after long study,
he discovered a method of determining the purity of gold. In 1957, attempts were made to establish
"In God We Trust" as the state motto, but "Eureka" was made the official state motto in 1963.
The California dogface butterfly or dog head (Zerene eurydice) was designated
the official State Insect in 1972. The butterfly is found only in California
from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to the Coast Ranges and from Sonoma
south to San Diego. The male has a yellow silhouette of a dog's head on its wings.
The female is usually entirely yellow with a black spot on the upper wings.
