72 
TETRAONID^. 
dealer in BeKast. During the following winter they were very 
scarce^ but after severe frost and snow, late in the season, some were 
brought to market; on the 1st of Feb. 1848, 1 reckoned thirty-six 
in that dealers shop.* Although more quails appear to have 
wintered in Ireland in the comparatively mild seasons of late 
years than formerly, I have the testimony of a veteran sportsman 
to the effect, that from his having met with them in the counties 
of Down and Antrim every winter during the last sixty-five years, 
he had always looked upon them as indigenous, and not as migra- 
tory birds. Others bear witness to the same effect for half that 
period, and have considered them (in the Island Magee, &c.) 
to be as common in winter as in summer. 
Over the continent of Europe, including the most southern 
portions, the quail is looked upon only as a summer visitant, 
excepting in Portugal, where it is said to be found througliout 
tlie year, and is considered more numerous in winter than in 
summer. If this be correct, it is a highly interesting fact, in 
connexion with the wintering of the species in Ireland. From 
its remaining permanently in the most western part of the southern 
portion of Continental Europe, and the most western island in a 
considerably higher latitude, it would seem as if the influence of 
the Atlantic Ocean were the predisposing cause, counteracting as 
it does the severity of the winter in a twofold manner : — lessening 
the cold of that season so much, that it can be borne by the bird, 
and enabling it, in consequence of the comparative absence of 
frost and snow, to procure abundance of food.f Colonel Sykes, 
* I liad three of these of average size weighed, and found them to be 3-| ; 
(rather more) ; and 3f oz. The crop of one was entirely filled with the seeds of 
weeds which grow among grain. The seeds within this crop alone weighed one 
ounce ; nearly of the weight of the whole bird. 
t The preceding remarks were made on data supplied by the Supplement to Mon- 
tagu’s Ornithological Dictionary, where it is stated, that — “ The quail remains all 
the year in Portugal, aud we are assured by an excellent sportsman. Captain Latham, 
that he thinks they are more plentiful in that country in winter than in summer.” 
I have been informed, however, by Dr. Scouler, who spent the four winter months of 
1844-45 in Lisbon and its vicinity, and occasionally accompanied sportsmen when 
out shooting, that quails were never met with, nor did he see any at table or in the 
markets. The birds killed by his companions were red-legged partridges and snipes, 
but not many of either species were seen. lie was told that late in the spring, and 
