2+4 



VEKTEBRATA. 



The Francolin, or Fhancolin Partridge, P. Francollm^ or Francolinus vulr/aris, is eleven 

 inches long, and resembles tlic other partridges ; found along the shores of the Mediterranean. 



THE EUROPEAN QUAILS, &c 

 Oemts COTUKNIX : Cotumix. — To this belongs the bird which in England is called Quail ; 

 in France Caille — C. vuhjaris. It is about two-thirds the size of our New England quail; is 

 seven inches long; general color brown, above ; yellowish-white below. The males are polygii- 

 nious; the nest is on the ground ; the eggs seven to twelve. It has a call or whistle of three 

 notes — j)ect, whcct, whccf. This bird is migratory, crossing the Mediterranean from Africa in 

 April and returning in autumn. Like many other Aveak and timid birds, they fly mostly by night, 

 to avoid hawks and other enemies ; but millions are annually taken by sportsmen and trappers 

 on the rocky islands of the Mediterranean, where they stop to rest, in their migrations. Their 

 flesh is much esteemed. This species is very widely distributed in Asia, Africa, and Europe, 

 and it is probably the same as the quails with wliich the Israelites were fed in the wilderness. 



THE ANDALtrSIAN QUAIL. 



The Andalusian Quail or Hemipode, Hemqwdius tachydroinus or Turnix tachydromus, is 

 five inches long, and is found in Spain, in the north of Africa, and in Sicily. 



The Fighting Quail, Hemipodius pugnax, is five and a half inches long ; it is a native of 



Java, and is trained like the cock for the pit, quail-fighting being a great amusement with the 



J avanese. 



AMERICAN QUAILS OR PARTRIDGES. 



Under this head we shall notice several American birds popularly called quails as well as 

 partridges. 



Genus ORTYX : Ortyx. — To this belongs the Colin or Quail of New England and Partridge 

 of the South, 0. Viryinianus. It is, strictly, neither a quail nor a partridge, but partakes of the 

 nature of both. It is nine inches long; upper part of the body reddish-brown, variously striped; 

 bluish-white, striped and barred with reddish-brown ; its nest is on the ground ; the eggs twelve 

 to eighteen ; the food grains, seeds, and berries ; they live in coveys of a dozen or more. In the 

 spring the male has a sharp, sonorous whistle, variously interpreted as more laet, bob white, and 

 buck wheat. Its flesh is delicious, and it is eagerly pursued as a game bird. It rises suddenly on 

 the wing with a whirring sound, usually alighting on the ground, sometimes on trees. It ranges 

 from Honduras to northern New England. It is a beautiful bird, and various attempts have been 

 made to cultivate it, but without success. Several have been shot in England, but doubtless these 

 were birds carried thither ; a considerable number have been taken to that country and let loose, 

 but they appear not to have bred to any extent. 



The Californian Quail or Partridge, Lophortyx Californicus, is a beautiful species, nine 

 and a quarter inches long, with an elegant crest of six long feathers on the head ; found in Cali- 



