406 aALLINAOEOUS BIRDS. 



and inliabit the arid plains of Southern Europe, Asia, and 

 Africa. 



The PiN-TAiLED Sand Gteouse {Pterocles setarius), Fig. 162, 

 annually makes its appearance in Spain and the South of France ; 

 it is common on the steppes of Southern Russia, of Tartary, Man- 

 churia, l^orthern China, and in the North of Africa. Occasionally 

 it breeds in the Pyrenees. 



The SynKHAPTEs, or Heteroclites, are characterised by the 

 total absence of the back toe. They are closely allied to the 

 Gangas, and, like them, have pointed wings, and are fond of tra- 

 velling, but their flight is not so continuous, for in their journeys 

 they are frequently compelled to alight. They inhabit the steppes 

 of Tartary, and but rarely venture into Europe. 



The Quail [Perdix coturnix, Latham) has a small beak, a 

 short back toe inserted rather high up, tarsi furnished with a 

 rudimentary spur in the shape of a horny tubercle, a thick-set 

 body, sharply-pointed middling-sized wings, and hardly any tail. 

 There are several species of this bird, only one of which is found 

 in Europe. 



The Common Quail (Fig. 163) is noted for its migrations. 

 Every year innumerable flocks of them leave the regions of Africa, 

 cross the Mediterranean, and, about the commencement of May, 

 spread themselves over Europe. In the month of September they 

 return, again accomplishing the same journey. The instinct which 

 impels them to migrate from one country to another is so powerful 

 that it is observed in Quails which are born in captivity. At the 

 season of migration captive Quails become very imeasy, walk up 

 and down their cages, and throw themselves against the bars with 

 such force that they frequently fall back stunned, and sometimes 

 even crush their skulls. 



When it is considered that the Quail is a heavy bird, with 

 wings comparatively small, and that it must cost them great 

 labour to migrate, it is evident that it must be undertaken under 

 strong impulse : probably the necessity of escaping the severity of 

 winter, or of providing for their sustenance, is not the only cause, 

 but that there is some sort of instinctive want, equally imperative 

 with that of hunger, under which the birds are ■irresistibly forced 

 to traverse such indefinite distances. 



