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COTURNIX. QUAIL. 



The Quails are birds, generally of small size, which by the 

 older writers were considered as forming part of their genus 

 Perdix, but which have been by recent ornithologists not im- 

 properly formed into a distinct genus, of which the characters 

 are as follows. 



Bill very short, moderately stout, rather compressed. Upper 

 mandible with its dorsal outline sloping at the base, then ar- 

 cuato-declinate, the ridge narrowed at the base by the nasal 

 membranes, towards the end narrow, but convex, the sides 

 convex, the edges direct, the tip narrow. Lower mandible 

 with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal outline straight, 

 the back convex, the edges involute. 



Nostrils linear, covered above by a bare horny oblong oper- 

 culum. Eyes of moderate size ; eyelids feathered. External 

 ears of moderate size, roundish. 



Head oblong, small, the forehead rather flattened. Body 

 ovate, compact. Legs short and moderately stout ; tarsi short, 

 compressed, stout, anteriorly covered with two series of square 

 scutella, about twelve in each, posteriorly with two series of 

 scales meeting so as to form a sharp edge ; and without spur 

 or tubercle. Toes slender ;. first very small and elevated, se- 

 cond considerably shorter than fourth ; third a good deal longer 

 than the latter. 



Plumage generally compact, the feathers ovate. Wings 

 short, broad, slightly convex ; primary quills incurved, broad, 

 but at the end tapering, the three outer nearly equal, the rest 

 slowly graduated ; secondary quills rounded, about twenty. 

 Tail very short, much rounded, of twelve feeble, decurved, 

 rounded feathers, concealed bv the coverts. 



