LETTER XLIV. 



divisions, the red and the grey : the former is the 

 largest, and often perches on trees, the latter, which, 

 in this country is the most common, always sits on 

 the ground. To give any description of a bird so ge- 

 nerally known would be .superfluous, and no one is 

 ignorant of the excellency of the food which its flesh 

 affords. 



THE QUAIL 



is much smaller than any other of the gallinaceous 

 tribes, being not more than half so large as the par- 

 tridge, although much resembling its shape. Its head 

 is black with a mixture of dusky brown ; the breast 

 is of a pale yellow, with a reddish cast and spotted 

 with black, and the back is marked with lines of pale 

 yellow. 



Quails are exceedingly quarrelsome, and often 

 have obstinate contests among themselves. Quail 

 fighting was once a favorite diversion among the 

 Athenians, and we cannot but lament that so cruel a 

 pastime was encouraged among so polished a people. 

 Its flesh, however, was by them esteemed unwhole- 

 some, and consequently not used for focd ; but they 

 reared great numbers of them for the pleasure of see- 

 ing them fight. Modern manners have in this respect 

 entirely reversed the sentiments of mankind. The 

 courage of the quail is now disregarded, while its 

 flesh is esteemed an exquisite delicacy. 



Having conducted you through the pleasing survev 

 of a class of the feathered creation that enlivens our 

 f(. rests and heaths, or embellishes the farm yard, yon 

 wili undoubtedly confess that the view is delightful; , 

 but when you consider the exquisite. food with which 

 they furnish our tables, your gratitude will be excited 

 towards the Author of Nature, for his parental good- 

 ness and indulgent munificence. 



I c.umot make a more appropriate conclusion, thali 

 in recommending to you the habit of making siach 

 reflection^ assuring you at the same time, that, with 

 unfeigned afiyciion, 



I am, dear Sir, 



Your's, &c. 



