146 THE GUN: AFIELD AND AFLOAT 



The European quail is quite distinct from the quail of 

 the North-American sportsman, the familiar " Bob- 

 white" (Ortyx virginiand]. The term quail is not, 

 however, constantly applied to this last-mentioned 

 game-bird, for gunners in the United States frequently 

 speak of it as "partridge." 



The quail is an excellent weed-destroyer ; in fact the 

 bird is said to subsist in great measure upon the seeds 

 of weeds such as dock, chickweed, wild vetch, plantain 

 persicaria, etc. They, therefore, are distinctly beneficial 

 in the cause of agriculture, and for this reason alone 

 deserve to receive every encouragement and all due 

 protection. 



The trisyllabic spring call-note of the quail which has 

 caused it to be styled by some modern naturalists, dactyl- 

 isonans is familiar to many having the privilege of 

 passing some of the days of spring or early summer in 

 the country. This call-note enables those acquainted 

 with it to unerringly detect the presence of quail when 

 otherwise they might remain in total ignorance of their 

 proximity. This call is unmistakable ; to me it seems 

 best represented by " quit-qui-quit." but many and 

 varied attempts have been made to give vocal expression 

 to this bird's call-note. Some English country-folk liken 

 the cry to " wet-my-lips " or " wet-my-feet " ; whilst in 

 Germany the peasants tell you the quail says " Buck den 

 Ruck." 



The quail will lay from nine to fifteen eggs of yellowy- 

 white, blotched and spotted with dark brown ; and it is 

 said that in favourable situations and seasons two broods 

 are reared. The sportsman's term for a brood of quail, 

 is bevy. 



