810 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



They generally arrive in this country about the beginning of 

 " May, and remain with us until the period of incubation is 

 over, and their young ones able to accompany them in their 

 autumnal migration to more southern latitudes, which usu- 

 ally takes place during the month of October. 



Quails arrive from Africa in countless thousands on the 

 numerous islands of the Grecian Archipelago about April, 

 and hence, Pennant says, the warm southerly winds of that 

 month bringing birds to Greece are called in that country, 

 Ornithex. They are so numerous, in other countries in the 

 line of their migration, that one hundred thousand are re- 

 corded to have been taken in one day on the west side of the 

 kingdom of Naples. From thence they spread over Southern 

 Europe, migrating every year as far north as Scandinavia and 

 Russia. 



The quail prefers an open country to a wooded or enclosed 

 one. Quails are polygamous, and do not pair like the par- 

 tridge, although it has a very great resemblance to that bird, 

 but is of a much less size. These birds are very pugna- 

 cious, and will fight with determined resolution in the man- 

 ner of our game-cocks. The Greeks and Romans kept quails 

 for the purpose of fighting them, as they delighted in the 

 amusement ; and the fighting of these birds still continues 

 to be a favourite pastime with the Chinese. 



The flesh of the quail is considered delicate, and conse- 

 quently is much in request in England, more especially in 

 London during the season, namely, from May to August. 

 So many as three thousand dozens have been purchased of 

 the dealers by the London poulterers in one season. 



The nest is rude ; the female merely scraping a small 

 hollow on the ground, in which she collects a few pieces of 

 dry grass, straw, or stalks of clover, and lays from seven to 

 twelve eggs, of a yellowish, or dull orange-coloured white^ 



