THE qrAH,.* 



The Quail, witli which \rc arc acquainted, is imich less Ihan the parfriflgo, being only 

 about seven inches in length ; it, however, resembles that- bird in its form and modes of 

 life and its flesh is excellent. It is widely spread, being lound tlnoughout the whole of 

 southern and temperate Europe, and the greater part of Asia and Africa, but is exevy- 

 where migratory. 



The female makes an artless bed in a slight hollow of the gro\nid for her eggs, which 

 arc of a green tint, and vary in number from eight to twehc, or e^■cn fifteen. In 

 Eno-land the quail makes its appearance in May, but not in such great abundance, it is 

 said, as formerly. In October it departs to Africa, which is the great winter abode of 

 this species. 



The female has not the dark half-circular marks descending down the sides of the 

 neck nor the black patch in front, which distinguish the male bird. The leathers on 

 her breast, however, arc strongly marked with a small dark spot on each side of the 

 light straw-coloured shaft. The young birds of the year resemble the adult female. 



Iiifhlv cultivated lands ai'c the favourite localities of these birds, and especiallv 

 extensive wheat-tields. Unlike the partridge, they are polygamous, and on their lirst 

 arrival the males may be heard uttering their whistling call, in detianeo of each other. 



C'utunii.\ ])act\ lUonnus. 



