78 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



culated to prove most conclusively the difference between the 

 two species, is the well-known fact that our Partridge is mono- 

 gamous while the Quail is 'polygamous. Although the American 

 Partridge may be termed a hardy Bird, in some sense of the 

 word, the Quail is still more so, particularly in its infancy, 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, it fights most obstinately, the battle most fre- 

 quently 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, con- 

 fines his attentions to no 'particular raaie^ and consequently 

 assists but little, if any, either in the construction of the nest 

 or in the care of the young brood. The Quail is also less pro- 

 lific 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 guard- 

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

 widely different is all this from the habits of our Bird ! And 

 still further dissimilarity, no doubt, might be remarked if the 

 subject had been properly considered by those more conversant 

 from actual observation with the point of contention than we 

 pretend to be. 



The Quail may also be termed, in some respects, a Nocturnal 

 Bird, and in this particular also differs from the Partridge. 

 The migrations of the Quail, as before stated, are almost en- 

 tirely performed during the hours of darkness, and, by way of 

 compensating nature for this loss of repose during the hours 

 allotted to it, it most generally sleeps in the middle of the day, 

 which time is always occupied by the Partridge in scratchmg 

 and pruning his plumage. This being the case, we trust the 

 American Sportsman hereafter will give our Partridge its pro 

 per appellation and rank, and no longer confound it with the 

 Quail, a Bird far inferior to it either in the field or on the table. 



Although the ancient Athenians eagerly sought after, and 

 even reared Quails for the purpose of employing them in com- 

 bat with each other, they were not esteemed as an article of 



