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Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quoils.



THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL.



Medals have been awarded to the following gentlemen for breeding

■species for the first time in this country.


Mr. H. D. ASTr.EY for breeding the Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Hedy -

metes Indovicianus ) Ser. III., Vol. 2, pp. 333 and 370.


Mr. W. E. Tkschkmakkr for breeding the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes

vulgaris), Ser. III., Vol. 3, p. 28.


Mr. R. Cosgrave is apparently entitled to a medal for breeding the

Laughing Kingfisher {Dacelo gigas) an account of which will appear in our

next number. Will any Member, who knows of a previous instance of this

species having been bred, kindly communicate with the Hon. Sec. ?



PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING.



X. QUAILS.


By D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S.


The Quails and their allies form a group of little birds

that are very attractive inmates of the aviary. They are mostly

hardy, and many of them will breed quite readily in captivity

providing the aviary in which they are kept possesses certain

necessary features. It should be of fairly large size, or rather

should cover a good sized area, though it need not be very lofty.

If possible it should not be less than from thirty to forty feet

square, but if twice or three times this size, so much the better.

The greater part should be turfed and planted with clumps of

bushes, and the grass allowed to grow to its full height during

the summer. The birds should have access to a well-lighted

dry shed where they can indulge in a dust bath whenever they

feel so inclined.


The species of Quails and Quail-like birds are very

numerous, and it is impossible here to mention them all or to

go into details as to the special treatment necessary for some of

the rarer kinds. Those which are most likely to be kept in cap¬

tivity are the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) and its allies

the Rain Quail, the Harlequin Quail, and the Australian Quail ;

the Chinese Quail (Excalpactoria chinensis ); the Australian

Swamp Quail ( Sjnoecus australis') ; the Jungle Bush Quail {Per-



