THE QUAILS.* 



In modern systems of ornitholog}^, the quails, though bearing a strildng resembhmce to 

 the jjartriclge, are ranked as a different genus of the Tdraonklw, or grouse tribe. They 

 differ from that bird in being smaller, in having a more delicate beak, a shorter tail, and 

 no spur on the legs ; and in having the first three quills of the wing larger, and, conse- 

 quently, better adapted to flight. Another point may also be added, for quails perform 

 very distant migrations, while the partridge seldom takes long flights. 



This would not be, at first sight, anticipated ; for, of birds of passage, the quail is, 

 perhaps, the most imjDerfectl}' adapted for flight, hence the reports of its having been seen 

 crossing extensive tracts of the ocean are questioned by many authors. Bo this as it 

 may, the fact of their migration is indubitable, and has been noticed from time immemo- 

 rial. " When we sailed from Rhodes to Alexandria," says Bellonius, " about autumn, 

 many quails, flying from the north to the south, were taken in our ship ; and sailing at 

 spring-time the contrary way, from the south to the north, I observed them on their 

 return, when many of them were taken in the same manner." What is here mentioned 

 has been observed bj' many others, thoiigh we are inclined to believe, that where an 

 ordinar}^ supph^ of food can be obtained, the quail is by no means given to long journeys. 

 In Britain, for example, they often merely leave the inland counties, and migrate to the 

 downs and sandy links which border upon parts of the sea-coast, and in such sheltered and 

 warm districts pass the winter. In general terms, it may be stated of the quail, that it is a 

 bird of passage, arriving in latitudes the same as our own about the middle of May, and 

 I'eturning soiithward in the month of Scptembei'. In Britain it is comparatively a rare 

 bird, and we must therefore look to France, the countries bordering the Mediterranean, 

 to Asia Minor, and to China, for its true habits ; and in all these countries its migrations 

 from south to north, or from the sea-coast to the interior, in spring — and from north to 

 south, or from inland to the sea-coast, in winter — are regular and familiar occurrences. 

 On their passage, they fly during the night or early morning, and rest, according to their 

 usual habit, throughout the day, when they are easily captured. As a proof of tlicir 

 nocturnal flight, it is observed by Pliny, " that they alight in such numbers on ships 

 (while the sailors are asleei^), by their settling on the masts, sails, &c., as to bear down 

 barks and small craft, and finally to sink them ; and on that account seamen have a great 

 dread of tliem when they approach near land." 



So unerring is their instinctive knowledge of the precise time lor migration, that lliey 

 retain it even thougli reared and kept in l)f)ndage. We have a A'ery singular proof of 

 this in some young quails, wliicli, having been bred in cages from the earliest period of 

 their lives, had never enjoyed, and therefore could not feel the loss of liberty. It is thus 

 stated by the Rev. ^Fr. Daniel, in his "Rural Sports: " " 1 'or four successive years," says 

 he, " they were observed lo bo restless, and to flutter witli unusual agitations regularly 

 in September and Ai)iil ; and this uneasiness lasted for thirty days at each time. The 

 birds passed tlie whole nighf. in (liesc fruitless struggles, and always on the fcillowing 

 daj' appeared dejected and stu])id." 



Quails, according to ^fr. Ii.iuicl, are seen in immense flitcks li-avorsing the Medi- 

 terranean from Italy <o ihe shore of Africa, and reluming again in spring, frequ(Mitly 

 aligliting on the i.slands of the Ai'cliipelago, whidi Ihcy almost cover willi (heir numbers. 

 Ortygia was named from them; and so al)uni!au1 air lliey in Capri, that tlie piiiu-ipal 



* Cutuniix. 



