275 



and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered up 

 the quails; he that gathered least gathered ten homers; and they 

 spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp." 



These discussions are of little consequence in regard to the sacred 

 truths of scripture, but they are pleasant and profitable investi- 

 gations; and in the present instance, as the supply of food to the 

 Israelites in the desert was altogether miraculous, and tended to 

 illustrate the power and goodness of the theocracy, the only govern- 

 ment under which they then lived, it is not of much impor- 

 tance whether the supply was of quails or locusts, since both are 

 eatable; and the latter are an article of food among the Arabians, 

 who inhabit the same desert, at this day. 



The Nerbudda is enlivened by fourteen different kinds of wild- 

 ducks; some are extremely beautiful in their plumage, and many roost 

 on trees. Pelicans, spoon-bills, white and rose-coloured flamingos, 

 storks, cranes, and a variety of aquatic birds frequent the lakes 

 and marshes; woodcocks are sometimes seen in the cool season; 

 snipes are more common, and immense flocks of wheat-ears and 

 ortolans emigrate from distant countries during the harvest. The 

 common partridge in shape and plumage is very like that in Eng- 

 land ; the feathers of that called the black-partridge are peculiarly 

 rich; the quails are excellent. The florican, or Curmoor, (otis 

 houbara, Lin.) exceeds all the Indian wild-fowl in delicacy of 

 flavour; its varied plumage, lofty carriage, and tuft of black fea- 

 thers, falling gracefully from its head, make him one of the most 

 elegant birds in India; it is of the bustard species, but much 

 smaller than the English otis. Green-pigeons, doves, and the 

 usual variety of songsters, animated the woods of Turcaseer. 



