Family— P H A S I AN I J)M . 
Genus— CO TURNIX. 
CoTURNix Bonnaterre, Tabl. Encycl. Meth., I., pp. Ixxxvii., 216 
(1791) C. coturnix. 
Ortygion Keyserling and Blasius, Wirbelthiere Europa’s, pp. Ixvi., 
112, 202 (1840) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. C. coturnix. 
Perdortyx Montessus, Mem. Soc. Saone, VI., p. 36 (1885) . . C. coturnix. 
The Quails have a short curved bill with large nostrils near the base, 
free of feathers, but covered with a strong membrane. The wings are not 
very long, not reaching to the end of the tail, but strong and powerful. The first 
and second primaries are almost or quite equal in length, and together with the 
third, which is very slightly shorter, form the tip of the wing. The axillaries 
are about half as long as the wing, and white. Feet without spurs, middle toe 
as long as the tarsus. Tail short, soft, not quite half the length of the wing, 
much rounded, upper coverts reaching to the end. A Quail looks un- 
commonly like a small Partridge, from which, however, it differs by the much 
more pointed wing, and the shortness of the tail, which consists of only ten to 
twelve rectrices. 
Distribution. Austraha and New Zealand, where it is said to be now nearly 
or quite extinct, to Asia, Europe and Africa. 
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