2182 



THE GAME BIRDS AND RAILS 



vertical angle of an imaginary triangle is formed by the second quill, instead of by 

 the fifth or sixth. The common or migratory quail (Coturnix communis), ranges 

 over an enormous area, being found over Europe, Africa, and Asia, north of 

 the Himalayas. In Eastern Asia a distinct species, the Japanese quail (C. japonica), 

 is found, but during the breeding season many of the common quail invade these 

 countries, with the result that the two interbreed. The male of the common quail 

 may be recognized by its white throat with a black anchor-shaped mark down the 

 middle, while in the Japanese species the throat is uniformly dull brick red. The 

 females may be distinguished by the former having the white feathers covering the 



COMMON QUAII,. 



(One-half natural size. ) 



throat short and rounded, while in the latter they are elongated and pointed, forming 

 quite a beard. In South Africa a race of the common quail (C. capensis} occurs, 

 in typical examples of which the males have the sides of the head, as well as the 

 chin and throat, bright rufous chestnut, and the black anchor-shaped mark 

 characteristic of the migratory species well developed. The common quail inter- 

 breeds freely with these birds, and the results are seen in many of the males, 

 having the chin and throat partially chestnut. Another Australian quail (Syncecus 

 australis) has no anchor-shaped mark on the throat, and the under parts marked 

 with V-shaped blackbars; an allied species with the under parts dull rufous inhabit- 



