240 PHASIANID.E. 



neck, studded with small white spots, and is also a smaller bird than the 

 Common Red-leg, besides having a metallic-blue tinge on the wing-coverts. 

 The legs are not always red, sometimes being a pale buff colour. Length 

 inches. 



265. Francolinus bioalcaratus (Linnaeus). Double-spurred 



Francolin. 



This is no doubt the species mentioned by Mr. Drake, and 

 occurs as far north in Morocco as Rabat, where I am informed 

 the local name is " Ragh " ; and of late years many have been sent 

 alive from Mogador to England. 



The male has two pairs of spurs. The sexes are alike in plumage. 



Above brown vermiculated with black ; chin and throat white. General 

 colour below buff, each feather with a black racquet-shaped shaft-streak. 

 Length 12^ inches. 



266. Coturnix communis, Bonnaterre. The Common Quail. 

 Moorish. Summin. Spanish. Codorniz. 



. Favier states that the Quail is very abundant on passage on 

 the Moorish side of the Straits, many remaining to breed, the 

 majority crossing over to Europe during March and April, 

 returning in October and November. 



On the Spanish side of the Straits it appears to me that the 

 chief vernal migration of the Common Quail is during the months 

 of March and April, whilst the autumnal passage is almost entirely 

 executed during the latter half of September, at that time their 

 numbers being sometimes almost incredible. 



The Andalucian cazadores profess to recognize two kinds of 

 Quail those which are migratory and called " Criollas," and 

 those which are resident and so named " Castellanas" There is 

 certainly much difference in the colour of the plumage and of the 

 legs, the Criollas being lighter-coloured and slightly smaller birds 

 than the Castellanas, which are very dark ; otherwise, in habits, 

 note, and eggs, there is no difference, although at a glance the 

 resident and migratory races can be easily distinguished. 



