THE QUAIL. 



The Quail is an inhabitant of nearly all the countries of the 

 world, and in all is esteemed excellent food. In appearance it 

 is so like the partridge, as sometimes to be called the dwarf par- 

 tridge ; and in the manners of the two species there is a great 

 resemblance. They feed, form their nest, and rear their young, 

 nearly in the same way. They are, however, in many respects 

 very different. Quails migrate to other countries; they are 

 always smaller ; and have not a bare space between the eyes, 

 nor the figure of a horse shoe on their breasts. The eggs too 

 are less than those of the partridge, and very different in colour. 

 Their voices are unlike. Quails seldom live in covies ; except 

 when their wants unite the feeble family to their mother, or 

 some powerful cause urges at once the whole species to assem- 

 ble, and traverse together the extent of the ocean, holding their 

 course to the same distant lands. They are much less cunning 

 than the partridge ; and more easily ensnared, especially when 

 young. 



The females lay about ten eggs, in the incubation of which 

 they are occupied three weeks. The eggs are whitish ; but 

 marked with ragged, rust-coloured spots. 



These birds usually sleep during the day, concealed in the 

 tallest grass, lying on their sides, with their legs extended, in the 

 same spot, even for hours together. So very indolent are they, 

 that a dog must absolutely run upon them before they are 

 sprung; and when they are forced upon wing, they seldom fly 

 far. Quails are easily drawn within reach of a net, by a call 



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