250 BIRDS. 



well driven, for it possesses in an exaggerated degree the 

 family objection to rising from the ground, and will run 

 before the dogs. The notion that it is in any way in- 

 jurious to the indigenous bird is probably an error. They 

 preserve a kind of armed neutrality, rarely interfering, still 

 more rarely interbreeding, though instances of the latter are 

 on record. At the same time, it seems advisable to mention 

 that more than one authority on the subject of game-birds 

 has stated the existence of a sort of blood-feud, much as 

 that existing between the black and brown rats, and with 

 much the same result, the victory of the new-comer. 



Unlike the common partridge, this bird frequently 

 perches on stumps and even at a considerable height ; and 

 it will even nest at some little distance from the ground, 

 notably in stacks. It is easily distinguished from the other 

 bird, not alone by its red legs and bill and the presence of 

 a blunt spur, not unlike that in the pheasant, only less, 

 but also in the very easily recognised black patch under 

 the throat, and the black and red bars on its sides. The 

 nest is as slight as those of most of the family. Egr/s, lo to 

 i8, i| inch; creamy white, with numerous reddish spots. 



With us from May to October, the migratory Quail is a 



small edition of our common partridge, except for the 



black patch on the throat. It is a southern 

 * Quail. . 



bird, and the flocks on migration are immense. 



A number remain with us through the winter ; and this 

 was also the case in Ireland, where, however, the bird has, 

 both as a visitor and as a resident, gradually diminished 

 in numbers of late years. In Scotland its distribution is 

 extremely limited. This is another bird difficult to get off 

 the ground, and even on the wing it rarely rises to any 

 height. Its note is peculiar, but I, at any rate, find it in- 

 describable. Its food consists mostly of seeds, chickweed 

 for preference. The nest is placed in an open field, and is 

 no more than a hollow in the ground sjiarsely lined with 

 grass. Eggs^ 7 to 12, i inch ; creamy, with brown blotches. 



