THE QUAILS. 



THE Quails are well-known small game 

 birds, widely distributed over Europe, 

 Africa and Asia, and mostly migratory. 

 Even the species which have a com- 

 paratively limited range are restless and 

 move to and fro according to season. 



The Quails have a pretty plumage, and 

 most of them are beautifully streaked on 

 the sides of the body as well as on the 

 upper surface. The tail is very short, 

 pointed and composed of 8 to 12 very 

 soft feathers, quite indistinguishable from 

 the feathers which cover them above and 

 below. The wing is pointed, and the 

 first quill reaches almost, if not quite, 

 to the tip of the wing. The sexes differ 

 in plumage, and slightly in size. There 

 is no spur on the leg of either sex, 



Three of the Indian Quails may be 

 termed common in some part or other 

 of the Empire. A fourth visits our 

 Eastern frontier in the winter, and will 

 no doubt, now that attention is drawn to 

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