Quails, 



319 



one day, within the space of three or tour miles. In 

 some parts of the south of Russia they abound so 

 greatly, that at the time of their migration they are 

 caught by thousands, and sent in casks to Moscow and 

 St. Petersburg. The female seldom lays more than six 

 or seven eggs. 



The ancient Athenians kept this bird merely for the 

 sport of fighting with each other, as game-cocks do, and 

 never ate the flesh. The Quail was that wild fowl which 

 God thought proper to send to the chosen people of Israel 

 as a sustenance for them in the desert. 



The Chinese Quail is a beautiful little bird, and is often 

 kept in cages in China, for the singular purpose, as it is 

 said, of warming people's hands in winter ; as taking the 

 soft, warm body of the bird in the hand diffuses through 

 it an agreeable warmth. It is also very pugnacious, and 

 is employed in fighting. 



THE AMEEICAN QUAIL, (Ortyx Virginianus,} 



Is larger than the Common Quail, and is something be- 

 tween a Quail and a Partridge. 



The CALIFORNIAN QUAIL (0. Ccdifornicus) is distin- 

 guished by its possession of a curious crest or tuft of 

 feathers on the crown of the head. 



