qUAIL SHOOTING. ^J^ 



the coverts. The hen bird is distinguished by having little or no 

 black on the chin or throat, and by a dusky mark passing from the 

 ears downwards. Some black spots are likewise seen on the chest, 

 and the coverts of the wings are barred with yellowish white 

 streaks, ^ 



This bird is known in abnost all the countries of the world, with 

 the exception, it is said, of America, where it has not hitherto 

 been discovered. Their numbers on the continent of Eui-ope aro 

 very great, much more so than in England, Wales, and Scotland. 

 They are often met with in Ireland in large quantities. 



The quail is a migratory bird, and though many attempts have 

 been made to naturalize them in this country, the instinctive desire 

 to migrate, has hitherto frustrated all such enterprises. They have 

 engaged the attention of the naturalist and the sportsman from the 

 earliest tmies, Pliny says, " Thev alight in such numbers on ships, 

 (and which is always in the night), by their settling on the masts, 

 sails, &c., &c,, as to bear down barks and small vessels, and finally 

 sink them, and on that account the sailors have a great dread of 

 them, when they approach near to land." In the autumn there are 

 immense flocks of these bnds found crossing the Mediterranean 

 from Italy to Africa, taking on their route, both in going and re- 

 turning, the various islands of the Archipelago as their resting 

 places. They are often in such prodigious numbers as to absolutely 

 cover the entire face of the country. In Alexandria they are so 

 common, that they can be readily bought for a farthing each. It 

 has been known, that crews of merchant vessels have been so much 

 confined to feeding on them, that certain diseases have been 

 induced from their frequent use, and that complaints have formerly 

 been made on the subject to the British consul at Alexandria. 

 These birds assemble in autumn on the northern shores to emigrate 

 southward; and it has been often noticed, that they delay their 

 departure until the north wind arises, when towards sun-set the 

 entire body take wing, and display such swiftness as to traverse 

 fifty lca2:ues by break of day. In Italy, Sicily, and most of the 

 Greek islands, they arrive at a stated season in vast numbers, and 

 with singular punctuality, not differing, in the average of years, 

 above a day or two at the utmost. One hundi-ed thousand have 

 been known to be caught at one time. They are run after during 

 the night, and great numbers perish in the chase. In Sicilj^, there 

 is quite a sensation produced when they arrive. Crowds are 

 assembled of aU ages and stations of life to witness the sight. The 

 nmnber of boats is likewise astonisliing ; and their passengers aU 

 carry guns and pistols, to try their luck at the feathered strangers. 

 They were so abundant on the island of Capri, at the entrance of 

 the Gulf of Naples, that they constituted the chief source of revenue 

 of the bishops of the place. There were one hundred and sixty 

 thousand captured in one season. In China, and in many of the 

 islands in the eastern seas, they are often so numerous as to 

 obscure the sun in theii- flights. 



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