318 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



from Africa in the spring on its northern journey 

 and returning again in the autumn, it would never- 

 theless appear to be at least partially resident in 

 England. I have myself found it, or had quite 

 recently killed specimens sent me, in the months of 

 September, October and December; and there are 

 notices in the * Zoologist ' of its occurrence in the 

 months of January, February, June, August and 

 November, and both its nest and eggs and the 

 young birds have been frequently found in various 

 counties. 



This appears to be the bird with the flesh of 

 which the Children of Israel were fed in the Wilder- 

 ness when they lusted for flesh. The flesh of the 

 Quail is still much esteemed, and numbers are 

 brought from France and fattened by the London 

 poulterers for sale ; but, according to Yarrell, it 

 does not appear to be very wholesome food, espe- 

 cially if eaten in too great quantities : he says, 

 " From some experience I consider the Quail very 

 heating food," and the Children of Israel appear to 

 have found the same thing. 



The nest, like that of the Partridge, is merely a 

 hole scraped in the ground, lined with a few bents 

 of grass or straw : it is generally placed in a grass or 

 corn-field. 



The food of the Quail is much the same as that 

 of the Partridge, consisting mostly of grain and 

 seeds and occasionally a few insects. 



