Birds. 989 



Description of the new British Quail. By Edward Newman. 



It will be recollected by my ornithological readers that I recorded 

 in the March number of the ' Zoologist' (Zool. 872), the occurrence of 

 a diminutive quail in Oxfordshire. In that notice all the ascertained 

 particulars of the bird were given, together with a description of conti- 

 nental specimens of Hemipodius trachydromus. Since the publica- 

 tion of those observations, to which the reader is particularly re- 

 ferred, Mr. Goatley has kindly furnished me with a photograph draw- 

 ing of the specimen, and also with the loan of the bird itself; thus 

 affording ornithologists in London an opportunity of seeing this truly 



Andalusian Quail {Hemipodius trachydromus ?) 



interesting addition to the British Fauna ; for although the Vulture 

 described in the paper immediately preceding this can scarcely be 

 recognized as a British bird, the present species, thoroughly esta- 

 blished, as it appears to have been, in the barley-fields of Oxfordshire, 

 must henceforth be admitted as such without doubt or hesitation. 



In compliance with Mr. Goatley's request, I have drawn up such a 

 description of the specimen as I trust will serve to distinguish the 

 present from any other species inhabiting Britain. I felt very reluc- 

 tant to undertake the task, fearing my inability to describe it with 

 sufficient accuracy : and I must beg that professed ornithologists will 

 make every allowance for one whose attention has been principally 

 occupied with other branches of Natural History. I may also ob- 

 serve that the particulars of admeasurement, &c, prior to stuffing, 

 have been kindly supplied by Mr. Goatley ; and also that the bird 



