240 



British Birds. 



THE COMMON 



QUAIL. 

 (Coturnix coturnix.) 



and the }-oung of both sexes can always be told b}- their 

 pointed, instead of rounded, first primary, and bv the 

 more j-ellowish colour of the feet. 



The Partridge is found throughout Europe eastwards 

 to Persia and Central Asia, as far as the Altai mountains. 

 The nest is placed on the ground, in a sheltered position, 

 and the eggs are from ten to fifteen in number, of an 

 uniform pale olive brown : the_\- are a little more than an 

 inch-and-a-quarter in length. 



This is a much smaller bird 

 than the Partridge, and is only a 

 summer visitor to certain parts of 

 Great Britain. It is found over 

 the greater portion of Europe and Northern Asia, and 

 migrates in enormous flocks to its winter home in Africa 

 and the Indian Peninsula. 



The nest consists of a hollow m the ground with a 

 scantv lining of grass. The eggs are unmistakable, being creamy buff or white, with 

 broad and conspicuous blotches and spots of rich brown : they are from eight to 

 twelve in number and measure nearl)- an inch-and-a-quarter in length. 



Pheasants difter from Partridges and (Quails in their long 

 tails. There is no necessity to dwell upon the coloration or 

 habits of this well-known game-bird. It is said still to exist 

 in a wild state in Asia Minor and the Caucasus, but in most 

 countries of Europe it has been introduced. The nest is a hollow in the ground, 

 with a lining of dead leaves, and is well concealed. The eggs are from eight to 

 twelve in number, of a brown or olive-brown colour, and sometimes bluish eggs are 

 found : they measure about an inch-and-three-quarters in length. 



The Common Quah,. 

 The Andalusian Hemh>ode. 



THE COMMON 



PHEASANT. 



PJiasiainis Loh-liicus. 



The Common Pheasant. 



