[28 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



pronouncing them not superior, but rather inferior, to our native 

 bird in point of delicacy of flavor ; and, furthermore, we all came 

 to the conclusion that we could knock them down, right and left, 

 like smoke, if we were once let loose in the overstocked preserves 

 of "merry old England." 



AMERICAN PARTRIDGE NOT A QUAIL. 



It has been stated that the Perdix Virginianus is more closely 

 allied to the European quail than to the English partridge ; but 

 such is not the fact, as the partridge of our country resembles the 

 quail in no one particular save in the habit of partial emigration 

 that it exhibits every autumn at the running season. The meat 

 of the European quail is dark, and oftentimes loaded with fat, 

 while that of the partridge is white, and invariably lean. This 

 alone is almost sufficient to establish the difference between the 

 two birds. Another circumstance still more striking in the habits 

 of these two birds, and better calculated to prove most conclusively 

 the difference between the two species, is the well-known fact that 

 our partridge is monogamous, while the quail is polygamous. 

 Although the American partridge may be termed a hardy bird, in 

 one sense of the word, the quail is still more so, as it depends 

 almost entirely on itself for support, even a few days after being 

 hatched; and, if kept among others of its own brood for a few 

 weeks, fights most obstinately, the battle frequently ending in the 

 death of one of the combatants. As early as four months old, 

 the young quails are sufficiently strong to accompany their parents 

 on their distant migratory flights. Quails seldom form themselves 

 into coveys. The cock bird being polygamous, and at the same 

 time very salacious, confines his attentions to no particular mate, 

 and consequently assists but little, if any, either in the construc- 

 tion of the nest or the care of the young brood. The quail is also 

 less prolific than the partridge. When quails migrate, they 

 assemble together in large numbers; but, as soon as they arrive 

 at their destination, they separate, each seeking his own food and 

 guarding his own safety; they travel invariably at night. How 



