210 THE HISTOET OF ANIMALS. [B. VIII. 



mackerel migrate sooner than the tunnies, and the quails than 

 cranes ; for some migrate in August, others in September 

 They are always fatter when they migrate from cold coun- 

 tries* than when they leave warm countries, as the quail is 

 more fat in the autumn than the spring : and so it happens 

 that they migrate alike from cold countries and from warm 

 seasons. Their sexual desires are also more violent in the 

 spring, and when they leave warm countries. 



5. Among birds, as it was previously remarked, the crane 

 migrates from one extremity of the earth to the other, and theyj 

 fly against the wind. As for the story about the stone, it is a[ 

 fiction, for they say that they carry a stone as ballast, which; 

 is useful as a touchstone for gold, after they have vomited it 

 up. The phatta and the peleias leave us, and do not win-i 

 ter with us, nor does the turtle ; but the pigeon stays; 

 through the winter The same is the nature of the quail, 

 unless a few individuals both of the turtle and quail remain 

 behind in sunny spots. The phatta and turtle assemble in 

 large flocks when they depart, and again at the season of 

 their return. The quails, when they commence their 

 flight, if the weather is fine and the wind in the north, go in 

 pairs, and have a successful voyage. If the wind is south 

 it goes hard with them, for their flight is slow, and this 

 wind is moist and heavy. Those that hunt them, therefore, 

 pursue them when the wind is in the south, but not in fine 

 weather. They fly badly on account of their weight, for 

 their body is large. They therefore make a noise as they 

 fly, for it is a toil to them. 



6. When they come hither they have no leader, but when 

 they depart hence, the glottis, ortygometra, otus, and cy- 

 chramus, which calls them together at night, accompany 

 them ; and when the fowlers hear this sound, they know 

 that they will not remain. The ortygometra in form resem- 

 bles the birds which inhabit marshes. The glottis has a 

 tongue which it projects to a great length. The otus resem- 

 bles an owl, and has small feathers at its ears. Some per- 

 sons call it the nycticorax, it is mischievous and imitative, 

 it is taken like the owl, as it dances from side to side, one 

 or other of the fowlers compassing it about. On the whole, 

 birda with crooked claws have short necks, broad tongues, 

 and. a capacity for imitation. And so has the Indian bird, 



