54 
VIRGINIAN AND CALIFORNIAN QUAILS. 
to the fast-flying Hemipode of Australia ; it is a solitary 
bird, with more distinct markings than the common species. 
The Virginian Colin, or Partridge, as it is variously 
called, seems to supply a connecting link between the 
Quails and Partridges. It is the Perdix Virginiana of 
Wilson and Audubon — the Ortyx Virginiamis of Bona- 
parte ; it has been introduced into this country from America, 
where it is indigenous on both continents. Turned loose 
at various times oii estates in different parts of this 
country, it does not seem to have much increased any- 
where, and is with us still a comparatively rare bird. In 
habits and general conformation it is much like the Par- 
tridge, from which, however, it is distinguished by its 
smaller size and more strongly-marked plumage, having a 
white throat, a large patch of the same on each side of 
the head and down the neck, divided from the rest of the 
plumage by a broad collar of black. It flies with a 
whirring sound — straight, steady, and swiftly, and emits 
a shrill call, consisting of two short low whistles, followed 
by one long and loud. 
The Californian Quail is another species recently in- 
troduced into this country by Messrs. Baker of Chelsea ; 
its remarkable peculiarity is a long and curiously-formed 
crest, erectible at pleasure, and a singular call-note, like 
the barking of a small dog, only much more shrill. It is a 
hardy bird, and may probably be acclimatised without 
much difficulty. 
Craven says that the Quail ^ is the daintiest of eating,' 
and this is reason good why it should be shot when and 
where it can be come at; for we hold it to be false 
humanity to spare any wild creature that can be converted 
into food for man, imless there is some better reason why it 
should be so spared than why it should be destroyed. Let 
us then by all means shoot Quails when, how, and where 
we can. Quail shooting, Craven tells us, ' is not legiti- 
mately a branch of English shooting ; ' nevertheless, we may 
add, there be many who occasionally follov/ it, and such 
