Description:
The White Crescent gene in Coturnix quail is described to be an autosomal recessive mutation that causes the bird to have a thin white band of feathers across the breast (1). It is linked to the EB mutation, meaning that it affects primarily birds with a Tibetan or Rosetta base, though it is not on the same locus and can be found on other dark birds (3).
It was discovered in Canada in the late 1970s among a line of tuxedo EB (1), and was separated from other forms of white, most notably the dotted white and the white beard. It is unknown if it currently exists in public hands, but could be a contributing factor for the "banded" look seen in some lines of black and EB in the United States, and overall white leakage in quail found across the world. It is believed that with proper selection, this amount of white can be controlled and bred to be fairly consistent.
Breeding with White Crescent:
White Crescent x White Crescent = 100% White Crescent
White Crescent x No White = 100% WC Carriers
White Crescent x WC Carriers = 50% White Crescent, 50% WC Carriers
WC Carriers x WC Carriers = 25% White Crescent, 50% WC Carriers, 25% No White
WC Carriers x Wildtype = 50% WC Carriers, 50% Wildtype
References & Further Reading
Roberts, C. W., J. E. Fulton, and C. R. Barnes. "Genetics of white-breasted, white and brown colors and descriptions of feather patterns in Japanese quail." Canadian Journal of Genetics and Cytology 20.1 (1978): 1-8.
Somes Jr, Ralph G. "International registry of poultry genetic stocks." (1988).
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