3G0 



COTURNIX. QUAIL. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum breve, gracile, basi 

 nudum, lateratim comprcs- 

 sum, latius qugm altum. 



Naves basales, squama for- 

 nicali superne semiclausas. 



Caput plumosum, 



Orbitce pennis tectas. 



Pedes tetradactyli, nudi ; 

 tarsi mutici. 



Cauda brevlssima, plumis 

 uropygii obtecta. 



Alee breves. 



CoTURNix. Briss., Temm, 

 Perdix. Lath., Nils., Ciiv. 

 Tetrao. Ray., Linn,, Gmel. 



Beak short, slender, naked at 

 the basejlaterally compress - 

 ed, broader than high. 



Nostrils basal, half closed by 

 an arched scale. 



Head feathered. 



Orbits clothed with feathers. 



Feet four-toed, naked ; tarsi 

 smooth. 



Tail very short, covered by 

 the feathers of the rump. 



Wings short. 



A HE Quails differ considerably from the Par- 

 tridges, with which they were associated, in their 

 habits, these being polygamous and migrative, 

 whereas the Partridges are monogamous, and do not 

 quit their residence : in the Quails the beak is ex- 

 tremely slender in proportion to that of the other 

 gallinaceous birds : they have a very short tail, and 

 the orbits and cheeks are well clothed with feathers: 



