250 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



supplied by the two small islands of Favignana and Levanzo off the 

 west coast of Sicily, for in spring the latter, which is the more 

 northerly island, is visited by large numbers of Quails, while the 

 former, the more southerly island, has hardly any ; but the reverse 

 is the case in autumn, Favignana abounding with the birds and 

 Levanzo being almost destitute of them. The probable explanation 

 of this is that during their spring passage northwards the Quails on 

 reaching Favignana, see Levanzo just beyond it, and pass on to the 

 latter, but as no land is visible further north, they alight there ; in 

 autumn the opposite is the case. A further proof of this appears 

 to be afforded by the fact of the Quails, which used once to be netted 

 in large numbers on Levanzo during the spring migration, being 

 almost invariably found entangled in the meshes on the north side 

 of the nets, showing that the birds, on reaching the northern extremity 

 of the island, and seeing no land before them, had turned back to 

 alight on the island. 



In general, sea-coast localities with a northern aspect seem to be 

 visited by Quails in spring more than in autumn, and those with 

 a southern aspect in autumn more than in spring, but there is no 

 doubt that the migration of this, and of other species of birds, is 

 greatly influenced by the direction and velocity of the wind, and 

 localities which abound with Quails on certain days, may have few 

 or even none at all on others. 



The migration of Quails appears to be effected entirely during the 

 night and early morning hours, and ceases at daybreak, when the birds 

 settle down for the remainder of the day. 



In the immediate vicinity of the town of Tunis good Quail-shooting 

 may often be had during the month of April and early part of May, 

 although as the arrival of the birds is dependent to a great extent on 

 the wind prevailing during the night and early morning, there is 

 always an element of uncertainty — " the glorious uncertainty of 

 chance " — in connection with the sport, and a blank day must often 

 be expected. 



In Algeria, Marocco and Tripoli the Quail is as plentiful as it is in 

 Tunisia and most other parts of the Mediterranean, though there can 

 be no doubt that the species has of late years considerably decreased 

 in numbers. In Sicily this diminution is very apparent, and has 

 recently become so marked, that it forms matter for serious con- 

 sideration. No better proof of the decrease in the annual passage of 



