350 KATUBALIST'S CABINET. 



Prodigious quantities, and eaMl^y caught. 



preparing, and thus change their abode to obtain 

 a subsistence. At their arrival in Alexandria, 

 such multitudes are exposed in the markets for 

 sale, that three or four may be bought for a me* 

 dina (less than three farthings). Crews of mer- 

 chant vessels have been fed upon them; and 

 complaints have been laid at the consul's office by 

 mariners against their captains, for giving them 

 nothing but quails to eat. 



Such prodigious quantities have appeared on 

 the western coasts of the kingdom of Naples, in 

 the vicinity of Nettuno, that a hundred thousand 

 have in one day been caught within the space of 

 three or four miles. Most of these are taken to 

 Rome; where they are in great request, and are 

 sold at extremely high prices. Clouds of quails 

 also alight, in spring, along the coasts of Pro- 

 vence ; especially in the lands which border on the 

 sea. Here they are often found so exhausted, that 

 for a few of the first days they may be taken with 

 the hand. In some parts of the south of Russia 

 they abound so greatly, that at the time of their 

 migration they are caught by thousands, and 

 sent in casks to Moscow and Petersburgh. With 

 wind and weather in their favour, they have been 

 known to perform a flight of fifty leagues across 

 the Black Sea in the course of a night ; a won- 

 derful distance for so short-winged a bird. 



In time of peace great quantities of these birds 

 are imported to England from France, for the 

 table; all of which are males. They are con- 



