[ 'So ] 



iiland to ifland, or headland to headland, which might very pro- 

 bably lie Eaft and Weil, fo as to occafion the birds flying in a 

 different direction from that in which they pafled the fhip before. 



I have-therefore no objection to this proof of migration, if it is 

 only infilled upon to fhew that a quail fhifts its ftation at certain . 

 fealons of the year ; but cannot admit that it is fair from hence to 

 argue that thefe birds periodically crofs large tracts cf fea. 



Bellon himfelf ftates, that when the birds fettled upon the fhip, 

 they were taken by the mrfr. perfon who chofe to catch them, and 

 therefore they muft have been unequal to the fhort flight which 

 they were attempting. Mr. Burnaby therefore obferves, that the 

 wild pigeons in their migration (thoup-h a bird diftinguimed for 

 their flight) fettle on the trees of Rhode Ifland in fuch numbers 

 as fometimes to break the branches ; and that they feem fo fa- 

 tigued with their flight, as not to be driven away but by extraor- 

 dinary noifes 1 . 



It is very true that quails have been often pitched upon as in- 

 ilances of birds that migrate acrofs feas, becaufe they are fcarcely 

 ever feen in winter : it rs well known, however, to every fportf- 

 rnan, that this bird never flies 300 yards at a time, and the tail 

 being fo fhort, it is highly improbable they mould be equal to a 

 paffage of any length. 



We find therefore, that quails, which are commonly fuppofed 

 to leave our iiland in the winter, in reality retire to the fea coafts, 

 and pick up their food amongft the fea weeds k . 



I have happened lately to fee a fpecimen of a particular fpecies 



1 Burnaby's Travels in N. America, p. 132. 



k See Br. Zool. Vol. II. p. 210. 2d ed. octavo. Thus Bellon alfo in- 

 forms us, that the ortygometre (or raile) is frequently feen in France 

 during the winter* 



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