BOOK X. xxxin. 65-68 



befoi-e the cranes, though the quail is a small bird 

 and when it has come to us remains on the ground 

 niore than it soars aloft ; but they too get here by 

 flying in the same way as the cranes, not without 

 danger to seafarers when they have come near to 

 land : for they often perch on the sails, and they 

 always do this at night, and sink the vessels. Their 

 route foUows definite resting places. They do not 

 fly in a south wind, doubtless because it is damp 

 and rather heavy, yet they desire to be carried by 

 the breeze, because of the weight of their bodies 

 and their small strength (this is the reason for that 

 mournful cry they give while flying, which is wrung 

 from them by fatigue) ; consequently they fly 

 mostly in a north wind, a landrail leading the way. 

 The first quail approaching land is seized by a hawk ; 

 from the place where this happens they always 

 return and try to get an escort, and the tongue- 

 bird," eared owl and ortolan'' are persuaded to make 

 the journey with them. The tongue-bird takes its 

 name from the veiy long tongue that it puts out of 

 its beak. At the start the charm of travelling 

 lures this bird to sail on eagerly, but in the course 

 of the flight repentance comes to it, no doubt with 

 the fatigue ; but it does not like to return unaccom- 

 panied, and it goes on following, though never 

 for more than oiie day — at the next resting place it 

 deserts. But day after day the company find another 

 one, left behind in a similar maimer the year before. 

 The ortolan is more persevering, and hurries on 

 actually to complete the journey to the lands which 

 they are seeking ; consequently it rouses up the birds 

 in the night and reminds them of their journey. 

 The eared owl is smaller than the eagle-owl and 



335 



