QUAIL, 
Generic Character. See Perdix cinerea. 
Synonyms. ■ 
Perdix Cortunix. Ind, Orn. 2. p. 651. 28. 
Tetrao Cortunix. Lin. Syst. l .j?. 278. 20. 
Quail. Br. Bool. 1. 97. lb. fol 87. tab. M. 6. 
Arct. Zool. 2. p, 320. B, Lath. Syn. 4. 
p. 779. 24. Ih. Supt. p. 222. J^on^. 
Om. Dzci. Fo^. 2. Bewick's Br. Birds^ 
Ft. I. p. 805. 
Egg. Ovarium Brit. Pt. 1. 
L' . ■ ' . " 
ENGTH seven inches and a half, breadtli twelve 
inches ; the weight varies considerably in different spe- 
cimens, sometimes being little more than two, and at 
others exceeding six ounces. Bill short and thick, gene- 
rally covered with scurf; eyes bright hazel, varying with 
age to yellow ; tail composed of twelve feathers, which are 
mostly hid by the tail coverts ; legs slender. The female 
wants the black gorget on the breast, and is d oiler C0» 
loured, otherwise the markings of the sexes are alike. 
Quails are generally considered migratory in this 
country, though some few winter here, which may per- 
haps be late hatched birds ; the principal part take their 
departure about the end of October, and repair southwards, 
returning in the ensuing spring (in diminished numbers) 
about the middle of April or beginning of May ; if the wind 
happens to be contrary many perish on the journey; they 
are frequently driven back when attempting to leave our 
shores. 
