AVES-AMERICAN QUAIL. 607 



aver, that they choose a north wind for these adventures ; the south heing 

 very unfavorable, as it retards their flight, by moistening their plumage. 

 They then fly two by two ; continuing, when their way lies over land, to go 

 faster by night than by day ; and to fly very high, to avoid being surprised, 

 or set upon by birds of prey. On the western coasts of the kingdom of 

 Naples, and on the shores of Provence, such prodigious flights have appear- 

 ed that a hundred thousand have been taken in a day within the space of 

 four or five miles. It is now, however, asserted by some, that the quail 

 only migrates from one province of a country to another. For instance, 

 that in England they fly from the inland counties to those bordering on the 

 sea, and continue there all the winter. 



These birds are much less prolific than the partridge; seldom laying more 

 than six or seven whitish eggs ; marked with ragged, rust-colored spots. 

 Quail fighting was a favorite amusement among the Athenians ; they ab- 

 stained from the flesh of this bird, deeming it unwholesome, as supposing 

 that it fed upon the white hellebore ; but they reared great numbers of 

 them, for the pleasure of seeing them fight ; and staked sums of money 

 upon them as we do with cocks, upon the success of the combat. The same 

 practice is at this day carried on in China and in some parts of Italy. 



THE AMERICAN QUAIL, l 



Called partridge in the southern states, is an inhabitant of North America, 

 from Canada and Nova Scotia to Florida, and it has been seen in the interior 

 of Louisiana. These birds rarely frequent the forest, and are most nume- 

 rous in the vicinity of well cultivated plantations, where there is plenty ot 

 grain. They however occasionally seek shelter in the woods, perching on the 

 branches, or secreting among the brushwood; but are found most usually 

 in open fields or along fences sheltered by thickets of brier. In winter, 

 they approach the barns and sometimes mix with the poultry. At this time 

 great numbers of them are shot and taken in traps. 



The quail builds its nest on the ground, at the bottom of a thick tuft of 

 grass that shelters and conceals it. The materials are leaves and fine dry 

 grass. It is well covered above, and an opening left for entrance. The 

 young are guided by their mother's voice, which resembles that of a young 

 chicken, and sheltered by her wings in the same manner as those of the 

 domestic fowl. In this situation, should the timid little family he unexpect- 

 edly surprised, the utmost alarm and consternation instantly prevail. The 

 mother throws herself in the path, fluttering along and beating the ground 



1 Perdix Virg-iniana, Lath. 



