QUAIL. — Coturnix Communis. 
The odd, short-legged, round-bodied, quick-footed Quail is closely allied to 
the partridge in form and many of its habits. Of these birds there are many 
species ; but as all are much alike, there is no need of many examples. 
The common Quail is found spread over the greater part of Europe, and 
portions of Asia and Africa, coming to our island in the summer, though not in 
very great numbers. In England the bird is not sufficiently plentiful to be of 
any commercial value, but in Italy, and some of the warmer lands which the 
Quails traverse during their periodical migrations, the inhabitants look forward to 
the arrival of the Quail with the greatest anxiety. In those countries they are 
shot, snared, and netted by thousands ; and it is chiefly from the foreign markets 
that our game shops are supplied with these birds. When fat the flesh of the 
Quail is very delicious ; and the most approved way of cooking the bird is to 
envelop it in a very thin slice of bacon, tie it up in a large vine-leaf, and then 
roast it. 
In their migrations the Quails fly by night, a peculiarity which has been noted 
in the Scriptural record of the Exodus, where it is mentioned that “ at even the 
Quails came up and covered the camp.” 
The nest of the Quail is of no better construction than that of the partridge. 
The number of eggs is generally about fourteen or fifteen. 
20G 
