94 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



tlu'ir liavin<Tf been shot in this country duriug the winter, 

 so that their migratory habits are certaiuly not universal. 



In its gener al app earance this bird may be described as a 

 " partridge in miniature/' The male is occasionally poly- 

 amous. The note (which is coiifmed to the male bird) is a 

 shrilly \yhistling cry rapidly repeated three or four times in 

 suc cess ion. 



The Quail does not spend muc htiip e or trouble in con- 

 structing- a nest, but cont ents itself by scrajjing out a 

 small hollow in the ground, and placing therein a few bits 

 of lia;^, sti;aw, dricd_^rass, and stalks. The number of e ggs 

 laid is about ten, but nests are occasionally found contain- 

 ing a larger number. The colour of the eggs is yellowish- 

 whjte, or greenish, blotched and speckled with bro^'n; the}' 

 measure a little more than an inch in length, and not quite 

 an inch in breadth. Wheatfields, or patclies of clover and 

 grass, are the places usual ly_ selected for nesting in. The 

 young birds are able to follow the old birds very soon 

 aftgr they are hatched, and feed upon grain, seeds, insects, 

 and small tend er leas es . 



The flight of the Quail is straight and rapid. Generally 

 the birds keep very close to the ground, and after being 

 lired at or alarmed once, show great rehictance to take 

 wing a second time. They are very fond of frequenting 

 stubble-fields, and many are killed by the sportsman when 

 in search of partridges. 



The flesh of this bii-d is delicate in flavour, and much 

 esteemed as an ai'ticle of food. Enormous quantities are 

 sent to this country fi'om France, and find a ready sale in 

 our markets and poulterers' shops, generally after a course 

 of fattening in England. 



But although the Quail is not a common bird in Great 



