3G0 
COTURNIX. quail. 
Generic Character. 
Rostrum breve, graeile, basi 
nudum, lateratlm compres- 
sum, latius quam altum, 
Nares basales, squama for- 
nicali superne semiclausse. 
Caput plumosum. 
Orhitce pennis tectae. 
Pedes tetradactyli, nudi ; 
tarsi mutici. 
Cauda brevissima, plumis 
uropygli obtecta. 
Aloe breves. 
Beak short, slender, naked at 
the base,laterally compress • 
ed, broader than high. 
Nostrils basal, half closed by 
an arched scale. 
Head feathered. 
Orbits clothed with feathers. 
Feet four-toed, naked ; tarsi 
smooth. 
Tail very short, covered by 
the feathers of the rump. 
Wings short. 
CoTURNix. Briss.y Teinm. 
Perdix. Lath., Nils., Cuv. 
Tetrao. Ray., Linn., Gmel. 
The Quails differ considerably from the Par- 
tridges, with which they were associated, in their 
habits, these being polygamous and migrative, 
whereas the Partridges are monogamous, and do not 
quit their residence : in the Quails the beak is ex- 
tremely slender in proportion to that of the other 
gallinaceous birds : they have a very short tail, and 
the orbits and clieeks are well clothed with feathers: 
