THE MOUNTAIN-QUAILS. 



The only representative of this group is 

 a small bird which has hitherto only been 

 found in certain parts of the Himalayas. 

 It is intermediate in size between the 

 Quails and the Rock-Partridge. It has 

 the soft plumage of the Quails, but differs 

 from them notably in having an ample 

 rounded tail. It also differs from them 

 in the shape of the wing, the first quill 

 of which falls short of the tip of the 

 wing by more than half an inch ; or 

 the tip of the tenth quill, when the wing 

 is closed or only slightly opened, falls 

 about half-way between the tips of the 

 first and second quills. From the Bush- 

 Quails, the Mountain-Quail may at once 

 be separated by its greatly superior size. 

 From all the Partridges it may be distin- 

 guished by having only ten tail-feathers. 



I have been thus particular in treating 

 of this bird, because it is a very peculiar 

 bird, and one apparently of great rarity, 

 and I am anxious that, if any sportsman 

 should meet with it, he may recognise it 

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