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In February, 1868, a very reraarkable variety of thje 

 Quail was picked up dead and handed over to me by a 

 keeper at Overton. It had evidently been dead some 

 hours and had been lying in the pouring rain, so that 

 it was hard to say what bird it was at first sight. After a 

 good washing it displayed such curious markings on the 

 throat, that my interest was aroused. At my request it was 

 sent by the Rev. T. A. Preston to Professor Newton, whose 

 answer was as follows. — " So far as I can judge, your bird 

 is a common Quail, but I do not remember to have seen 

 before one with so much black on its chin and throat. 

 However, it is certain that Quails vary a good deal in the 

 colouration of these parts, though I am at a loss to give a 

 rational explanation of the manner in which they vary. It 

 is possible that old males may assume a different plumage 

 at this time of year. I have before had no experience of the 

 fact, and nothing is said about it in any of the authors I 

 have consulted. I think it would be well if you would shew 

 your specimen to Mr. Gould, and hear what he has to say 

 on the subject. I do not recollect to have examined a 

 male Quail killed in the spring before. I have a specimen 

 in which the black markings of your bird are replaced by 

 a deep chesnut, and that I had supposed to be the colour 

 of this part in the breeding plumage ; but my bird was 

 killed many years ago (fifty I should think) and no record 

 of the time of year it was obtained has been kept. If 

 you show your specimen to Mr. Gould, I hope you will 

 kindly let me know what he says, as I am a good deal 

 interested in your specimen." The bird was then shown to 

 Mr. Gould, who replied : " I have compared the Quail with 

 the varions specimens in my collection, and find it similar 



