220 THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



finds shelter in any crops which may yet remain standing. 

 In warm countries it resorts to vineyards, attracted, it is 

 said, not so much by the grapes as by the numerous small 

 snails with which the vines are infested ; for the crops of 

 the late birds are generally found filled with these 

 molluscs. 



In locomotion it makes more use of its feet than its 

 wings, and when put up is never induced to perch on a 

 tree. Its flight resembles in character that of the par- 

 tridge, but it rarely flies far, and when it alights makes 

 awkward attempts to conceal itself, but often fails, and 

 may sometimes be captured with the hand. 



In June or July the female lays from eight to fourteen 

 eggs in a hole in the ground, and brings up her young 

 without the assistance of the male. 



Towards the end of August the old birds migrate south- 

 wards, and are followed by the young. Before the end of 

 October all have disappeared, though instances have 

 occurred of their being shot during winter, especially in 

 seasons when the harvest has been a late one. 



The flesh of the quail is considered a great delicacy, 

 and many thousands are caught and imported to the 

 London markets for the table. They are placed in ]k>w 

 flat cages, scarcely exceeding in height the stature of "the 

 bird, for the reason that in confinement the birds, in their 

 effort to escape, would beat themselves against the upper 

 bars and destroy themselves. These are said to be all 

 old males. Quails inhabit the Eastern Continent, from 

 China where they are said to be carried about in winter 

 by the natives to keep their hands warm to the British 

 Isles. 



With us they are nowhere plentiful, but are occasion- 

 ally shot by sportsmen in most parts of the country. In 

 cornfields, on the shores of Belfast Lough, in the north of 

 Ireland, they are of frequent occurrence. In Palestine 

 they still come up in the night and "cover the land." 



