232 COTURNIX. QUAIL. 



The Quails differ from the Partridges chiefly in having the 

 head entirely feathered ; the wings straighter and more pointed, 

 with the secondary quills shorter ; the tail much smaller, so as 

 to be concealed by the neighbouring feathers, and decurved ; 

 and the feet weaker, without any knob or tubercle on the tar- 

 sus. They are extensively distributed on the old continent, 

 and some of them at least are migratory. The males are said 

 to be polygamous, and extremely pugnacious. In most other 

 respects these birds resemble the Partridges, living on seeds of 

 gramineffi and other plants, herbaceous subsiances, and insects, 

 and residing in grassy pastures, cultivated fields, and shrubby 

 -svastes. Only one species occurs in Britain, w^here it is merely 

 a summer visitant, although occasionally individuals have been 

 met with in winter. 



