318 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
from Africa in the spring on its northern journey 
and returning again in the autumn,—it would never- 
theless appear to be at least partially resident in 
England. I have myself found it, or had quite 
recently killed specimens sent me, in the months of 
September, October and December; and there are 
notices in the ‘ Zoologist’ of its occurrence in the 
months of January, February, June, August and 
November, and both its nest and eggs and the 
young birds have been frequently found in various 
counties. 
This appears to be the bird with the flesh of 
which the Children of Israel were fed in the Wilder- 
ness when they lusted for flesh. The flesh of the 
Quail is still much esteemed, and numbers are 
brought from France and fattened by the London 
poulterers for sale; but, according to Yarrell, it 
does not appear to be very wholesome food, espe- 
cially if eaten in too great quantities: he says, 
“From some experience I consider the Quail very 
heating food,” and the Children of Israel appear to 
have found the same thing. 
The nest, like that of the Partridge, is merely a 
hole scraped in the ground, lined with a few bents 
of grass or straw: itis generally placed in a grass or 
corn-field. 
The food of the Quail is much the same as that 
of the Partridge, consisting mostly of grain and 
seeds and occasionally a few insects. 
