362 BRITISH BIRDS. 



they separate ; or, if kept together, they fight ob- 

 stinately, their quarrels frequently terminating in 

 each other's destruction. From this quarrelsome 

 disposition in the Quail they were made use of by 

 the Greeks and Romans as we use Game-cocks, 

 for the purpose of fighting. We are told that 

 Augustus punished a prefect of Egypt with death, 

 for bringing to his table one of these birds, which 

 had acquired celebrity by its victories. The Chi- 

 nese are much addicted to the amusement of fight- 

 ing Quails, and in some parts of Italy it is said 

 likewise to be no unusual practice. After feeding 

 two Quails very highly, they place them opposite, 

 and throw in a few grains of seeds between them : 

 the birds rush upon each other with the utmost 

 fury, striking with their bills and heels till one of 

 them yields. 



