332 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



In both sexes the outer webs of the primaries are barred with rufous. 



Bill horny brown ; irides yellow-brown ; legs pale fleshy. (Jerdon.) 



Length 7 inches, tail 1*7 ', wing 4'3, tarsus 1, bill from gape '6. The 

 female is usually, but not always, larger than the male. 



The plumage of this Quail varies a great deal. I have not been able to 

 examine Burmese birds ; but the above description represents a specimen in 

 ordinary average plumage. 



The Common European Quail is a rather rare visitor to Burmah, judging 

 from the few instances in which it has been met with . Mr. Blanford procured 

 it in Pegu ; and Mr. Hume has received it from near the mouth of the 

 Bassein Creek ; Mr. Blyth states that it has been found in Arrakan and 

 in Martaban (which now constitutes the northern portion of the Tenas- 

 serim Division); and, lastly, Capt. Wardlaw Ramsay obtained it in 

 Karennee. In short, it is not a bird which the ordinary sportsman in 

 Burmah may reasonably expect to shoot. 



This Quail is more or less migratory, and occurs, according to season, 

 over the greater portion of Continental Asia, not extending, however, so 

 far south as Ceylon or Cochin China, Siam and the Malay peninsula. 

 Mons. Taczanowski informs me that its northern limit in Siberia is Lake 

 Baikal, and that north of this place it is replaced by C. japonic a, a species 

 not generally recognized, but one which, in that gentleman's opinion, is 

 perfectly distinct, differing from C. communis in having the chin and throat 

 rufous and in wanting the black on and about the throat. 



Passing from Asia, the Common Quail is found in Europe except in the 

 extreme north, and throughout Africa. 



The few Quails of this species which may be met with in Burmah will 

 be found in the cold weather, the season at which they migrate south. 

 They frequent grain-fields, thin low grass and stubble, feeding both on 

 grain and insects. The nest is a slight depression in the ground lined 

 with a little grass ; and the eggs, which are numerous, are yellowish or 

 buff speckled with reddish brown. Comparatively few Common Quails 

 remain in India to breed ; and the nest is not likely to be found in Burmah. 



