BRITISH GAME-BIRDS. 



225 



a more varied food-supply. It is certain that such 

 a difference does exist. As the quail is a bird of 

 passage, and one of the most noted in ornithological 

 records of the earliest dates, he no doubt attains 

 his fullest development in those countries that are 

 best conducive to his wellbeing. Sometimes there 

 is a notice made of quails being shot when every 

 one has supposed them to have been far over seas ; 

 this is nothing to wonder at, other birds beside 

 these will also stay behind at times. 



A dainty little fellow is the quail, and perfectly 

 contented to pipe his simple call in surroundings 

 such as those amongst which I have found him 

 many years ago. 



In conclusion, I wish to remark that as the years 

 pass on I think a revision will be effected in the so- 

 called classification of wild creatures, although some 

 at the present day consider dry-bone-dust theories 

 to be as unalterable as the laws of the Medes and 

 Persians. But having for some years pondered 

 over this matter, I think that such must ultimately 

 be the case. 



If such a change comes, I think that the great 

 bustard will be placed at the head of the plovers; 



