The Zoologist — December, 1870. 2395 



I have no doubt we may safely consider four or five times the number 

 were actually killed. 



I am, however, inclined to believe the quails were most numerous 

 in the North of Pembroke and in Cardiganshire, as only one or two 

 have been seen in the South part of Pembroke, and these were most 

 likely migrating. Nearly the whole were shot in September, for early 

 in October several gentlemen carefully hunted for them without 

 success. 



I heard of the first bird about the middle of July, when as I was 

 riding with a gentleman near Blaenfosse, he exclaimed, "There goes 

 a quail !" Il dropped behind a bank before I could see it, but I have 

 no doubt as to his being correct: he not only knows the bird, but in 

 the same field, when the barley was cut, about the 14th of August, 

 two nests were found; one contained eggs; near the other nine 

 young ones, just hatched, were seen; these remained near the same 

 spot for some time. Another nest with eggs was found within a day 

 or two of the above date, and not more than two hundred yards 

 distant. 



I also heard of three nests at Nold-y-ram, near Newcastle, and 

 three others near Llandyssil, but I have not been able to get the 

 dates. 



Colonel Pryse, of Pythyle, in a letter to Mr. Phillips, says the quails 

 bred freely, and Mr. Brenchley, of Glaneirw, tells me there could be 

 no doubt they bred in his district, as early in September the old and 

 young birds were of quite different sizes. 



I cannot ascertain that quails have ever before been known to breed 

 in this part of Wales, though it is not unlikely they may have done so in 

 a few instances. In Mr. Brenchley's note he says, "they have been 

 steadily on the increase throughout our part of Cardiganshire the last 

 four years;" but I am bound to say his opinion is not confirmed by 

 any other observation ; only one or two gentlemen mention having 

 previously killed them : one says he shot two twenty years ago, and 

 has only seen two since until this year. It is certain the number this 

 year is altogether unprecedented, for all agree that it is exceptional 

 to see them during the shooting season ; nor have they been found in 

 the winter, which, considering the usual mildness of the climate, 

 might naturally be expected were they regular visitors. 



It is to be regretted that no one noticed this bird from its call-note, 

 as then we might be able to approximately guess the time when the 

 invasion occurred, and possibly in some measure account for it. 



