240 
British Birds. 
and the young of both sexes can always be told by their 
pointed, instead of rounded, first primary, and by the 
more yellowish colour of the feet. 
The Partridge is found throughout Europe eastwards 
to Persia and Central Asia, as far as the Altai mountains. 
The nest is placed on the ground, in a sheltered position, 
and the eggs are from ten to fifteen in number, of an 
uniform pale olive brown : they are a little more than an 
inch-and-a-quarter in length. 
This is a much smaller bird 
THE COMMON , . , 
. than the Partridge, and is only a 
QUAIL. 0 y 
, n . ■ . • , summer visitor to certain parts of 
(Loturmx coturmx.) e 
Great Britain. It is found over 
the greater portion of Europe and Northern Asia, and 
migrates in enormous flocks to its winter home in Africa 
and the Indian Peninsula. 
The nest consists of a hollow in the ground with a 
scanty lining of grass. The eggs are unmistakable, being creamy buff or white, with 
broad and conspicuous blotches and spots of rich brown : they are from eight to 
twelve in number and measure nearly an inch-and-a-quarter in length. 
Pheasants differ from Partridges and Quails in their long 
tails. There is no necessity to dwell upon the coloration or 
habits of this well-known game-bird. It is said still to exist 
in a wild state in Asia Minor and the Caucasus, but in most 
countries of Europe it has been introduced. The nest is a hollow in the ground, 
with a lining of dead leaves, and is well concealed. The eggs are from eight to 
twelve in number, of. a brown or olive-brown colour, and sometimes bluish eggs are 
found : they measure about an inch-and-three-quarters in length. 
The Common Quail. 
The Andalusian Hemipode. 
THE COMMON 
PHEASANT. 
Phasianus colchicus. 
The Common Pheasant. 
