98 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



their having been shot in this country during the winter, 

 so that their migratory habits are certainly not universal. 



In its general appearance this bird may be described as a 

 " partridge in miniature.'" The male is occasionally poly- 

 amous. The note (which is confined to the male bird) is a 

 shrill whistling cry rapidly repeated three or four times in 

 succession. 



The Quail does not spend much time or trouble .in con- 

 structing a nest, but contents itself by scraping out a 

 small hollow in the ground, and placing therein a few bits 

 of hay, straw, dried grass, and stalks. The number of eggs 

 laid is about ten, but nests are occasionally found contain- 

 ing a larger number. The colour of the eggs is yellowish- 

 white, or greenish, blotched and speckled with brown; they 

 measure a little more than an inch in length, and not quite 

 an inch in breadth. Wheatfields, or patches of clover and 

 grass, are the places usually selected for nesting in. The 

 young birds are able to follow the old birds very soon 

 after they are hatched, and feed upon grain, seeds, insects, 

 and small tender leaves. 



The flight of the Quail is straight and rapid. Generally 

 the birds keep very close to the ground, and after being 

 fired at or alarmed once, show great reluctance to take 

 wing a second time. They are very fond of frequenting 

 stubble-fields, and many are killed by the sportsman when 

 in search of partridges. 



The flesh of this bird is delicate in flavour, and much 

 esteemed as an article of food. Enormous quantities are 

 sent to this country from France, and find a ready sale in 

 our markets and poulterers' shops, generally after a course 

 of fattening in England. 



But although the Quail is not a common bird in Great 



