188 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



call-note resembles the sliarpening of a scythe — "chucks 

 clnick, chucker-cliucker." The Grey Partridge says 'Mcer- 

 chupj kerchuj}, kerchup." 



There is a remarkable difference in the habit of the two 

 species. If a pair of Grey Partridges be made to rnn^ they 

 will always keep together, bnt a pair of Frenchmenj under 

 similar circumstances^ will always separate. 



QUAIL. 



Coturmx communis. 



This little bird was formerly considered a spring-immigrant 

 only, but as there have been many instances of its occurrence 

 in the winter months, that idea must now be abandoned. Its 

 principal haunts are the South Downs, where the nest is still 

 occasionally found, but not so abundantly as formerly, when 

 bevies of them were often met with in the corn-fields and 

 turnips, both on the Downs and in those immediately adjoin- 

 ing them. It occurs but rarely in the heart of the Weald, 

 and then in September and October. When put up it flies 

 close to the ground, and if missed by the sportsman it is 

 exceedingly difficult to flush it a second time. Its flight is 

 then exceedingly rapid, and in a straight line ; but it seldom 

 flies to any great distance. It is partial also to wet and 

 rushy marsh-land, and runs very swiftly. The call-note ('^wet- 

 my-lips^') is soft and dactylic, whence one of its specific 

 names was dactylisonans. It may be heard to a considerable 

 distance. Its nest is on the ground, and in the few instances 

 in which it has been found on the Weald it has been in 

 fields of wheat, clover, or grass put up for hay. Many years 

 ago my father-in-law turned down several dozen on a farm 



