BIRDS. 
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about the head ; which alone, after the first or second year, 
seems to be the true mark of distinction. They fly in 
coveys till about the third week in February, when they 
separate and pair ; but if the weather be very severe, it is 
not unusual to see them collect together again into coveys. 
Partridges have ever held a distinguished place at the ta- 
bles of the luxurious ; we have an old distich : 
If the Partridge had the woodcock's thigh, 
'Twould he the best bird that e'er did fly. 
THE QUAIL (Coturnix JEuropatus,) 
Is a small bird, being in length no more than seven inches. 
The colour of the breast is of a dirty pale yellow, the throat 
has a little mixture of red ; the head is black, and the 
body and wings have black stripes upon an hazel-coloured 
