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VERTEBEATA. 
The Francolin, or Francolin Partbidge, P. Francolini, or Francolinus vulgaris, is eleven 
inches long, and resembles the other partridges ; found along the shores of the Mediterranean. 
THE EUROPEAN QUAILS, &a 
Genus COTTJRJSriX : Coturnix. — To this belongs the bird which in England is called Quail ; 
in France Caille — C. vulgaris. It is about two-thirds the size of our New England quail; is 
seven inches long ; general color brown, above ; yellowish -white below. The males are polyga- 
mous ; the nest is on the ground ; the eggs seven to twelve. It has a call or whistle of three 
notes — peet, wheet, wheel. This bird is migratory, crossing the Mediterranean from Africa in 
April and returning in autumn. Like many other weak and timid birds, they fly mostly by night, 
to avoid hawks and other enemies ; but millions are annually taken by sportsmen and trappers 
on the rocky islands of the Mediterranean, where they stop to rest, in their migrations. Their 
flesh is much esteemed. This species is very widely distributed in Asia, Africa, and Europe, 
and it is probably the same as the quails with which the Israelites were fed in the wilderness. 
TUB AKDALUSIAN QUAIL. 
The Andalusian Quail or Hemipoive, Hemipodius tachydromus or Turnix tachydromus, is 
five inches Jong, and is found in Spain, in the north of Africa, and in Sicily. 
The Fighting Quail, Hemipodius piignax^ is five and a half inches long; it is a native of 
Java, and is trained like the cock for the pit, quail-fighting being a great amusement with the 
J avanese. 
AMERICAN QUAILS OR PARTRIDGES. 
Under this head we shall notice several American birds popularly called quails as well as 
partridges. 
Genus ORTYX : Ortyx. — To this belongs the Colin or Quail of New England and Partridge 
of the South, 0. Virginianus. It is, strictly, neither a quail nor a partridge, but partakes of the 
nature of both. It is nine inches long; upper part of the body reddish-brown, variously striped; 
bluish-white, striped and barred with reddish-brown ; its nest is on the ground ; the eggs twelve 
to eighteen ; the food grains, seeds, and berries ; they live in coveys of a dozen or more. In the 
spring the male has a sharp, sonorous whistle, variously interpreted as more wet, bob white, and 
buck wheat. Its flesh is delicious, and it is eagerly pursued as a game bird. It rises suddenly on 
the wing with a whirring sound, usually alighting on the ground, sometimes on trees. It ranges 
from Honduras to northern New England. It is a beautiful bird, and various attempts have been 
made to cultivate it, but without success. Several have been shot in England, but doubtless these 
were birds carried thither ; a considerable number have been taken to that country and let loose, 
but they appear not to have bred to any extent. 
The Calieoenian Quail or Partridge, Lophortyx Calif ornicus, is a beautiful species, nine 
and a quarter inches long, with an elegant crest of six long feathers on the head ; found in Call- 
