AVES—AMERICAN QUAIL. 607 
aver, that they choose a north wind for these adventures; the south being 
very unfavorable, as it retards their flight, by moistening their plumage. 
They then fly two by two; continuing, when their way lies over land, to go 
faster by night than by day; and to fly very high, to avoid being surprised, 
or set upon by birds of prey. On the western coasts of the kingdom of 
Naples, and on the shores of Provence, such prodigious flights have appear- 
ed that a hundred thousand have been taken in a day within the space of 
four or five miles. It is now, however, asserted by some, that the quail 
only migrates from one province of a country to another. For instance, 
that in England they fly from the inland counties to those bordering on the 
sea, and continue there all the winter. 
These birds are much less prolific than the parteideat ; seldom laying more 
than six or seven whitish eggs; marked with ragged, rust-colored spots. 
Quail fighting was a favorite amusement among the Athenians; they ab- 
stained from the flesh of this bird, deeming it unwholesome, as supposing 
that it fed upon the white hellebore; but they reared great numbers of 
them, for the pleasure of seeing them fight; and staked sums of money 
upon them as we do with cocks, upon the successof the combat. Thesame 
practice is at this day carried on in China and in some parts of Italy. 
é 
* 
THE AMERICAN QUAII@ 
CaLeD partridge in the southern states, is an inhabitantof North America, . 
from Canada and Nova Scotia to Florida, and it has been seen in the interior 
of Louisiana. These birds rarely frequent the forest, and are most nume- 
rous in the vicinity of well cultivated plantations, where there is plenty ot 
grain. They however occasionally seek shelter in the woods, perching on the 
branches, or secreting among the brushwood; but are found’ most usually 
in open fields or along fences sheltered by thickets of brier. In winter, 
they approach the barns and sometimes mix with the poultry. At this time 
great numbers of them are shot and taken in traps. 
The quail builds its nest on the ground, at the bottom of a thick taft of 
grass that shelters and conceals it. The materials are leaves and fine dry 
grass. Itis well covered above, and an opening left for entrance. The 
young are guided by their mother’s voice, which resembles that of a young 
chicken, and sheltered by her wings in the same manner as those of the 
domestic fowl. In this situation, should the timid little family be unexpect- 
edly surprised, the utmost alarm and consternation instantly prevail. The 
mother throws herself in the path, fluttering along and beating the ground 


1 Perdix Virginiana, Latu. 
hii 
