[ 2 74 ] 
that <c chaud comme line caille is in every one’s 
mouth * ** . 
Now in the firft place their migration during the 
night, is contrary to Belon’s account, which M. de 
Buffon fo much relies upon, who exprefly fays, that 
the birds were caught in the day time -f-. 
In the next place, I apprehend that “ chaud comme 
u une caille” alludes to the very remarkable fa- 
lacioufnefs of this bird, and not to the conftant heat 
of its body. 
Monf. de Buffon then obferves, that if quails are 
kept in a cage, they are remarkably impatient of 
confinement in the autumn and fpring, whence 
he infers that they then want to migrate ^ ; he alfo adds, 
in the fame period, that this uneafinefs begins an hour 
before the fun rifes, and that it continues all the night. 
This great naturalift does not ftate this obfervation 
as having been made by himfelf, and it feems upon 
the face of it to be a very extraordinary one. 
* All birds indeed are warmer by four degrees than other ani- 
mals. See fome ingenious thermometrical experiments by Mr. 
Martin of Aberdeen, Edinb. 1771, i2mo. 
+ Upon looking a fecond time into Belon, he does not indeed 
ftate whether it was in the day or the night; but if it had hap- 
pened in the latter, this traveller and ornithologift could not well 
have omitted fuch a circumftance. Belides this, he mentions in 
what direction the quails were flying, which he could not have 
difcerned in the night. 
X It may alfo arife from this bird’s being of fo quarrelfome a 
difpofition, and confequently moft likely to fight with its fellow 
prifoners when they are all in greateft vigour alter moulting, and 
on the return of the fpring. 
M. de Buffon allows that they will fight for a grain of millet, 
and adds, “ car parmi les animaux il faut un fujet reel pour fe 
** battr.e, 5 ’' M, de Buffon hath never been in a cockpit. 
No. 
