273 



SCRAPERS; OB, POULTRY TRIBE. 



CHAPTER V. 



The Common Quail Habits of this bird in England The 

 Israelites fed with Quails Immense flight of Quails in 

 Egypt The Word of God and Natural History in perfect 

 accordance The Great Bustard The largest of the 

 Gallinaceous Family Extirpated from the plains of 

 England where it was formerly found The pouch of the 

 Bustard 'An inhabitant of the plain countries of Europe 

 Extract of a letter from the " Gamp before Sebastopol." 



THE COMMON QUAIL is the smallest British bird of 

 the poultry tribe, and is very like a partridge, 

 except in size ; and it also resembles that bird in 

 man} r of its habits. It is a summer visitor in most 

 parts of England ; and in Ireland it has also been 

 frequently found in the winter months, as well as 

 occasionally in England also. It chiefly frequents 

 corn-fields ; but is now much more rarely seen 

 than formerly. Quails run with great rapidity, 

 and they also fly quick, but, generally, straight 

 and low, and are difficult to " flush," sitting squat 

 and sleeping at midday. Their long flights are 

 understood to be performed in the night. 



The London market is well supplied with 

 quantities of these birds, which are netted on the 



