70 THE BIRDS OF DORSET. 



and suggests the probability of its sometimes reaching 

 this country from the Channel Islands. This, how- 

 ever, is very unlikely, as the Eed-legged Partridge, 

 although a wandering species, is not migratory. In 

 some parts of the eastern counties it is said to 

 have extirpated the Common Partridge, but this 

 is contradicted by many good authorities. They 

 are not only frequently found together in the same 

 field, but the eggs of both species have occasionally 

 been found in the same nest. A preference for 

 running rather than flying renders it, in the eyes of 

 many sportsmen, an inferior object of pursuit to 

 the Grey Partridge when dogs are used; but in 

 the now fashionable sport of " Partridge-driving " 

 the red-legged bird is invaluable. 



QUAIL. Cofurnix communis, Bonnaterre. 



YarreU, iii. p. 123; Dresser, vii. p. 143; Seebohm, ii. p. 462; 

 Ibis List, p. 143; Coturnix vulgaris, Harting, p. 40; 

 Tetrao coturnix, PnJte7iey's List, p. 7. 



The Quail is a summer migrant, arriving in 

 April and leaving early in September. Some few 

 remain during the winter, and I have seen them as 

 late as January i st. Several are annually found in the 

 neighbourhood of Blandford, especially at Houghton 

 and Milborne St. Andrew's. One was shot at Lul- 

 worth, September 12, 1882, three at Whatcombe in 

 August 1882, a bevy was found at Milborne St. 

 Andrew's in September 1884, and a single bird was 

 shot there in October 18S5. 



