106 A HISTORY OF 



from the north to the south, were taken in our ship ; and sailing a 

 spring-time the contrary way, from the south to the north, I ob 

 served them on their return, when many of them were taken in the 

 same manner." This account is confirmed by many others, who aver, 

 that they choose a north wind for these adventures ; the south wind 

 being very unfavourable, as it retards their flight, by moistening theii 

 plumage. They then fly two by two ; continuing, when the way lies 

 over land, to go faster by night than by day ; and to fly very high, to 

 avoid being surprised or set upon by birds of prey. However, it still 

 remains a doubt whether quails take such long journeys as Bellonius 

 has made them perform. It is now asserted by some, that the quail 

 only migrates from one province of a country to another. For inst- 

 ance, in England they fly from the inland counties to those bordering 

 on the sea, and continue there all the winter. If frost or snow drive 

 them out of the stubble-fields or marshes, they then retreat to the sea- 

 side, shelter themselves among the weeds, and live upon what is 

 thrown up from the sea upon shore. Particularly in Essex, the time 

 of their appearance upon the coasts of that country exactly coincides 

 with their disappearnce from the more internal parts of the kingdom ; 

 so that what has been said of long flights, is probably not so well-foun- 

 ded as is generally supposed. 



These birds are much less prolific than the partridge ; seldom lay- 

 ing more than six or seven whitish eggs, marked with ragged, rust- 

 coloured spots. But their ardour in courtship yields scarce to any 

 other bird, as they are fierce and cruel at that season to each other, 

 fighting most desperately, and (a punishment they richly deserve) be- 

 ing at that time very easily taken. Quail-fighting was a favourite 

 amusement among the Athenians ; they abstained from the flesh of 

 this bird, deeming it unwholesome, supposing that it fed upon the 

 white hellebore, but they reared great numbers of them for the pleasure 

 of seeing them fight, and staked sums of money, as we do with re- 

 gard to cocks, upon the success of the combat. Fashion, however, 

 has at present changed with regard to this bird ; we take no pleasure 

 in its courage, but its flesh is considered as a very great delicacy. 



(In ails are easily caught by a call : the fowler, early in the morn- 

 ing, having spread his net, hides himself under it among the corn ; 

 he then imitates the voice of the female, with his quail-pipe, which 

 the cock hearing, approaches with the utmost assiduity ; when he has 

 got under the net, the fowler then discovers himself, and terrifies the 

 quail, who attempting to get away, entangles himself the more in the 

 net, and is taken. The quail may thu<* very well serve to illustrate 

 the old adage, that ever) passion, carried to an inordinate excess, wil' 

 at last lead to ruin. 



