THE QUAIL. 



Coturnix cotnmtmis, Bonnaterre. 

 Plate 58. 



This dainty little game-bird, although best known as a summer visitant to 

 the British Islands, sometimes remains with us throughout the winter, but is at 

 the present day much less plentiful than it used to be, the cause of its decrease as 

 regards England being attributed to the higher farming of the land, which has 

 deprived the birds of their former rougher but more congenial breeding grounds. 



The Quail appears to visit Scotland in smaller numbers than the more southern 

 parts of Great Britain, and in Ireland was common as a resident until almost the 

 middle of last century, but its numbers there have now greatly diminished. 



It is plentiful as a breeding species over the greater part of Europe, Asia, and 

 Northern Africa, and in winter visits South Africa. 



The food, nest, and habits in general of this species closely resemble those of 

 its near relation the Partridge. 



The seven to twelve eggs, creamy-white in ground-colour and blotched with 

 rich blackish-brown, are laid in some depression in the soil, lined with a few bents, 

 and situated among corn or in grass or clover fields. 



The cry of the male, consisting of three shrill notes, is usually rendered as 

 " Wet-my-lips." 



77 



