24 Mr. D. Seth-Smith,


In the first place it may be well to point out where the

members of this genus chiefly differ from those of such nearly-

allied genera as Synceciis (Swamp Quails) and Excalfactoria

(Painted Quails). In a very able paper on the genus Coturnix,

published in the Aniials and Magazine of Natural History (1892,

p. 167), Mr. Ogilvie-Grant writes "The genus Syncecus appears to

be very doubtfully distinct from Coturnix; so far as I can see,

the only tangible character by which the two can be distinguished

is found in the axillaries, which are shorter and greyer in the

former. I think it highly probable that Syncec7is will have to be

merged in Coturnix." Thus, so far as cabinet ornithology is

concerned, there is practically nothing by which to separate the

two genera. They are however perfectly distinct in life. In the

first place the appearance of the Swamp Quails is quite different

from that of the true Quails, they appear to be much shorter on

the legs than the latter, but run much faster. They are much

more like miniature Partridges than like Quails. But the most im-

portant point in which the two genera differ is in their breeding

habits. Both Syncecus and Excalfactoria are strictly monogamous,

and both sexes brood the young, whereas Coturnix is semi-polyga-

mous, by which I mean that, although a male will pair with only

one female at a time, and remain true to her until incubation

commences, he will promptly leave her when this period arrives

and seek another mate. If the birds are in an enclosure where

there is no other hen quail, there is a danger of the cock bullying

the hen and perhaps driving her off her nest. When the young

are hatched the cock Coturnix does not attempt to brood them,

in fact if he approaches he is promptly driven off by the hen ; or

he may prove aggressive and drive her from her young which,

without their mother's warmth, promptly die.


To return to the species of Coturnix in their proper order:

Coturnix coturnix. I have had little experience in keeping

the common Migrator}' Quail. A pair spent last winter and the

early spring in my aviary and I found them very wild and, I

think, the least interesting quails I have kept and, as I had not

room for them when the nesting season approached, they were

despatched to the Zoo. This species would doubtless breed in

captivity without trouble, providing they had a fair-sized patch



