BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 431 



across the abdomen ; vent, white ; irides, dark brown ; feet, 

 feathered to the toes. Length, from thirteen to fifteen 

 inches. The adult female is said to have no black band 

 across the breast, and is less in size than the male. 



Common (SUtail 



THE Common Quail (Coturnix communis, Bonnaterre) is a 

 widely distributed species in summer in this country, and 

 examples are often met with during the autumn and winter. 

 It is also found inhabiting the Palearctic Region and the 

 whole of Africa, and migrates from Northern Europe during 

 winter. The adult male has the general colouration of the 

 plumage brown, varied on the upper parts with streaks of 

 buff; eye-streak, creamy-white ; throat, rufous, having a 

 double crescent of black below ; lower part of neck and 

 breast, light rufous; belly, pale buff; flanks, buffish-red, 

 striped longitudinally with buff; irides, brown ; bill, legs, 

 and feet, brown, with a yellowish tinge. Length, about 

 seven inches. 



