THE QUAIL. 



POULTRY 



CHARACTERISTICS. These birds are characterised by the 

 beak being raised, and the upper mandible being arched, so 

 that the edges of it go beyond those of the under mandible. 

 The nostrils are covered with a convex cartilaginous mem 

 brane ; the tail is composed of more than twelve feathers ; 

 the toes are connected as far as the first joint. Most of th 

 species feed on grain, which is softened in their crops. I only 

 know of six species that can be tamed in the house. 



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