14 LIEUT.-COLONEL SYKES ON THE 
fort says that almost all the isles of the Archipelago are covered with them in certain 
times of the year. In the commencement of autumn such great quantities are captured 
in the isle of Capri near Naples, as in former times to afford the Bishop the chief part 
of his revenue ; and he was called in consequence the Bishop of Quails. M.Temminck 
says that in spring such prodigious numbers of Quails alight on the western shores of 
the kingdom of Naples, about Nettuno, that 100,000 are taken in a day. They also 
arrive in spring in similar numbers on the shores of Provence so fatigued, that for the 
first days they allow themselves to be taken by hand. Sonnini states that they arrive 
in Egypt in September. 
With these facts before us, considering the positive testimony of the Psalmist that 
the unexpected supply of food to the Israelites was a Bird, and that Bird, agreeably to 
the Septuagint and Josephus, a Quail,—that only one species of Quail migrates in pro- 
digious numbers, and that species the subject of the present notice,—we are authorized 
to pronounce the Cot. dactylisonans to be the identical species with which the Israelites 
were fed. We have here proof of the perpetuation of an instinct through 3300 years', 
not pervading a whole species, but that part of a species existing within certain geo- 
graphical limits; an instinct characterized by a peculiarity which modern observers 
have also noticed, of making their migratory flight by night. ‘‘ And it came to pass, 
that at even? the quails came up and covered the camp*.” As might be expected, we 
see the most ancient and most noble of all historical works and natural history reflect- 
ing attesting lights on each other. 
It is probable that these small defenceless birds fly only by night to avoid the attacks 
of birds of prey ; in crossing seas they must of course continue their flight by night as 
well as by day. I am aware, however, from personal observation, that the Grus Orien- 
talis, whose size secures it from the attacks of other Birds, also migrates during the 
night. M.Temminck thinks it probable that Quails emigrate for food rather than to 
enjoy a uniform climate ; and in this opinion I coincide, as the great changes of tem- 
perature in India do not influence the movements of this species, food being abundant 
at ali seasons. 
I am not aware that this Bird is used for combats (although a species with tubercles 
is) in India; and it is not likely the people would warm their hands with it, as is said to 
be the case in China. 
From some experience I consider Quails very heating food ; and it is probable the 
French proverb, ‘‘ Hot as a Quail,” may apply rather to its stimulating properties than 
to its animal heat. 
' 1491 years before Christ. ? Query ‘ night’? 3 Exodus, xvi. 13. 
