152 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



ten to eighteen, and of a pure white ; the male at times assists 

 in hatching them. The young run about as soon as liberated, 

 and follow their parents until spring. These birds roost at 

 night in the middle of a field, on the grass, the covey forming 

 a circle, with their heads outwards, an arrangement which 

 enables them both to prevent surprise, and to take wing 

 and scatter asunder when alarmed." 



THE COMMON QUAIL. Coturnix dactyllsonans. The Quail 

 is known over the greater part of the Old "World, but is per- 

 haps more numerous in the south of Europe than elsewhere. 

 It is a somewhat rare summer visitant to our island, but is 

 more frequent in Ireland, and even said permanently to re- 

 side there. In winter vast numbers quit Europe for the 

 African continent, returning again in the spring ; and during 

 their periodical passages the shores and islands of the Me- 

 diterranean are replete with them. On the coasts of Italy 

 and Sicily, and all the Greek islands, they arrive at certain 

 seasons in immense numbers. A hundred thousand are 

 said to have been taken in one day. In France the Quail 

 is very abundant; and besides those supplied to the markets 

 of that country, thousands are imported alive by the London 

 poulterers, and fattened for sale. The eggs of this species 

 are laid almost on the bare ground, and are from six to ten 



