COMMON QUAIL. 
363 
the wing-coverts are barred with yellowish white. 
The young during the first year exactly resemble 
the females ; after the second moult they assume 
their proper appearance. This species varies in 
being of a larger size than usual, with the colours 
more vivid, and the cheeks and throat dusky brown ^ 
it also occurs perfectly white, and in all the inter- 
mediate stages from the common plumage : some- 
times it will become entirely deep brown or dusky; 
this effect is produced by long confinement, and 
being fed on hempseed. 
Quails are found throughout nearly the whole of 
Europe, as far north as Lapland ; they are also 
abundant in Asia, as far as Siberia, but not in the 
extreme northern parts : they likewise occur at 
various periods in Africa, at the Cape of Good 
Hope. In China they are extremely abundant, 
and like C. excalfactoria, are used by the inha- 
bitants to warm their hands. 
They are found in most parts of Great Britain, 
but nowhere in any great quantity, and about 
August or September they migrate to the south- 
ward. They have appeared in such prodigious 
quantities on the western coasts of the kingdom of 
Naples, in the vicinity of Nettuno, during their 
migration, that a hundred thousand have been 
caught in one day within the space of four or five 
miles, which are usually sold for three or fourlivres 
per dozen, to dealers, who convey them to Rome, 
where they are in great request, and resold for 
liigh prices. Clouds of Quails also alight in sj)ring 
along the coasts of Troveiice ; here they are some- 
