252 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



trodden on before taking to flight, and even then, rarely flying more 

 than about one hundred yards. Their flight is straight and swift, 

 and as a rule not more than three or four feet from the surface of 

 the ground. In very rough and hilly country, particularly should 

 a high wind be blowing, the bird's flight becomes more twisting, and 

 affords a better test of the sportsman's skill. 



The Quail, as a rule, frequents cornfields and open plains covered 

 with herbage of some sort, but when on migration, may be found in 

 any open spot, on bare mountains and other rocky localities where it 

 can scarcely hide itself, and at times even on the sea-shore. Olive- 

 groves, which are open underneath, are also much resorted to, and 

 dry sandy places are not unfrequently visited by this species, which, 

 like other gallinaceous birds, is fond of " dusting." Like its allies, too, 

 the Quail is a great runner, and often makes use of its legs in pre- 

 ference to its wings. It feeds chiefly on the seeds of various wild 

 plants and on grain, but also to a considerable extent on insects and 

 worms. When kept in captivity, as they are in many large towns for 

 the table, Quails become very fat. The call-note of the male in 

 spring is a loud and clear " whit-ioer-ivhit," that of the female being 

 more like " tvhiu-whiu." When suddenly flushed and flying off, a 

 shrill note of alarm is uttered. 



The Quail is chiefly monogamous, but appears also to be at times 

 polygamous. During the breeding season the males become very 

 pugnacious, and pitched battles are often fought between them. The 

 species is rather a late breeder, and does not usually commence 

 nesting until May. The nest is merely a depression in the soil, with 

 a few grass-bents or other soft plant-material, while the eggs, six to 

 twelve in number, are as a rule, glossy-yellowish or buff-coloured, 

 strongly marked with olive-brown and blackish blotches, and measure 

 about 28 X 23 mm. The eggs, however, vary a good deal both in 

 size and in marking. 



