THE QUAIL. 



What is its colour? 



Its general colour is reddish brown, spotted will* 

 black ; over the eyes and running down the neck there 

 is a patch of white ; the breast, and under parts, are 

 pale yellow, spotted with black ; the throat is white, 

 and the legs pale ash colour. 



Where is this bird found ? 



The Quail is an inhabitant of the United States from 

 Canada to Florida, It is also found in almost every 

 part of Europe. 



Of what use is the Quail ? 



This bird is much esteemed as an article of food. 

 In autumn and at the beginning of winter, it is very 

 fat and plump, and is then considered a delicacy for the 

 table. 



The particular places where Quails love to reside, 

 are not among the mountains, like the partridge, nor 

 on the barren plains, with the grous, but about cultiva- 

 ted fields, and in open places around the borders of 

 woodlands. Sometimes they venture even to the barn 

 yard, where they feed with the poultry, and if not 

 frightened away, will become so tame as to pick up 

 corn when thrown them. 



These poor birds are, however, every where perse- 

 cuted and destroyed ; not on account of the mischief 

 they do, but because their flesh is a delicate morsel to 

 the taste of man. No wild bird of equal value is so 

 easily taken. Their simplicity, and want of suspicion, 

 lead them inta traps and snares, which the more cun- 

 ning and sagacious of the feathered race take care to 

 shun. Almost every boy in the country, during the 

 fall and winter, is armed with a gun, or the more in- 

 sidious Quail trap, for their destruction ; and did they 



