The COMMON QUAIL (_Coturnix communis_) is brown, striped with reddish
yellow on the upper parts of the body; the head is somewhat darker than
the back, the throat reddish brown, and the region of the crop reddish
yellow; a pale yellowish line passes from the base of the upper mandible
over the eyes and down the sides of the neck across the throat, where it
is bounded by two narrow dark brown lines. The blackish brown primary
quills are spotted with reddish yellow in such a manner as to form
stripes, the first quill has also a narrow yellow border; the reddish
yellow tail-feathers have white shafts and are spotted with black at their
edges. In the female all these colours are comparatively indistinct, and
the reddish brown of the throat but little conspicuous. The eye is light
brownish red, the beak horn-grey, and the foot either reddish or pale
yellow. The length is seven inches and a half, and the breadth thirteen
inches; the wing measures four inches and the tail one inch and three
quarters.
This species is found in most parts of the Old World. It arrives on the
south coast of Europe and the islands of the Grecian Archipelago in
immense flocks about April, and thence spread over Europe.
"The European Quails," says Jerdon, "are found throughout India in
considerable numbers during the cold weather, most migrating during the
rains and breeding elsewhere, but a few pairs remaining and breeding in
various parts of the country, especially towards the west and north-west.
The Grey Quail, as it is termed in India, generally rises singly or in
pairs, but considerable numbers are found together; and in some localities
and in certain seasons it occurs in great profusion, and affords excellent
sport to the gunner. It is found in long grass, corn-fields, stubble, and
fields of pulse, wandering about, according as crops ripen in different
parts of the country. It is less numerous towards the south of India
than farther north." In Great Britain it has been considered as a summer
visitor; but, according to Yarrell, many instances have latterly been
recorded of its occurrence in Ireland, as well as in England, during the
winter months.
This Quail is likewise met with abundantly in Syria and Judæa, and there
seems to be little doubt of its identity with the Quails so frequently
mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. "We have," says Tristram, "a clear proof
of the identity of the Common Quail with the Hebrew _selac_, in its Arabic
name, _salwa_, from a root signifying 'to be fat'--very descriptive of the
round, plump form and fat flesh of the Quail. The expression 'as it were
two cubits high above the face of the earth' probably refers to the height
at which the Quails fly above the ground. There are several expressions
in the scriptural account which are borne out by observations of the
habits of the Quail. At all times its flight is very low, just skimming
the surface of the ground, and especially when fatigued it keeps close,
never towering like the Partridge or Sand Grouse. It migrates in vast
flocks, and regularly crosses the Arabian desert, flying for the most part
at night, and when the birds settle they are so utterly exhausted that
they may be captured in any numbers by the hand. Notwithstanding their
migratory habits, they instinctively select the shortest sea passages,
and avail themselves of any island as a halting-place. Thus in spring and
autumn they are slaughtered in numbers on Malta and many of the Greek
islands, very few being seen till the period of migration comes round.
They also fly with the wind, never facing it like many other birds." "The
Israelites 'spread them out' when they had taken them before they were
sufficiently refreshed to escape; exactly as Herodotus tells us that the
Egyptians were in the habit of doing with Quails--drying them in the sun."
Brehm mentions having been a witness to the arrival of a huge flock of
Quails upon the coast of North Africa, and tells us that the weary birds
fell at once to the ground completely exhausted by their toilsome journey,
and remained there for some minutes as though stupefied. On recovering
somewhat, they did not again take wing, but continued their journey
apparently on foot. In Africa they occasionally take up their quarters
in stubble-fields and cultivated districts, but principally frequent the
vast steppes, and wander about singly from spot to spot. During the summer
they prefer fruitful plains and the vicinity of corn-fields, carefully
avoiding mountains or marshy localities. The popularity of these birds is
in a great measure due to the pleasant sound of their clear, resounding
cry, which during the breeding season enlivens the whole district in which
they live. Upon the ground they move quickly but ungracefully, with tail
hanging down and neck drawn in, each step being accompanied by a slight
nod of the head. Their flight is very rapid, and occasionally changes to
a beautiful hovering motion. Even towards its own species the Quail is
extremely unsocial and frequently most pugnacious, displaying the latter
quality not only towards its rivals, but to its mate, who is often very
roughly treated. The females exhibit a somewhat more amiable disposition,
and besides being careful of their own offspring, prove excellent
foster-mothers to such young birds as have lost their parents. Whilst the
sun is high the Quails remain concealed among the long grass and weeds,
and about noon indulge in a sand-bath; the succeeding hours are also
spent in a state of quiescence, but the sun has no sooner set, than they
become brisk and fully alive to the necessity of going in search of food
or picking a quarrel with some rival. At this time their agreeable call
may be said to be almost incessant. Seeds, small portions of plants, but
principally insects, constitute their usual diet, the process of digestion
being assisted by the swallowing of small stones. They do not require much
water, the dew affording them in most instances all the moisture they
need; for this reason they are rarely met with at any drinking-place.
Although insect nourishment is decidedly preferred by the Quail, it has
been fed for months together simply on grain and wheat. It would appear
that this bird is polygamous, and it is even stated on good authority that
it will mate with birds of entirely different species. The nest, formed
by the hen of small portions of plants and placed in a corn-field, is not
commenced till the beginning of the summer months. The eggs, from eight to
fourteen in number, are large and pear-shaped, with a glossy, light brown
shell, very variously marked with a deeper shade. The hen broods about
twenty days, and testifies such devotion to her precious charge as often
to sacrifice her life rather than quit the nest, while her mate goes forth
with his companions into the neighbouring fields. The young grow rapidly
and soon leave their parents' care, for by the time they are six weeks old
they have attained their full size, and can fly well enough to join in the
autumn migration. Immense numbers of Quails are annually captured on the
shores of the Mediterranean, and the island of Capri so abounded in them
that we are told some of its ancient bishops derived the principal part
of their revenue from this source. Waterton assures us that no less than
17,000 of these delicate birds have been conveyed to Rome in one day.
* * * * *
The DWARF QUAILS (_Excalfactoria_), the smallest members of this family,
represent a group distinguished from those already described by the
rounded form of their wing, in which the third, fourth, and fifth quills
are longer than the rest, the first being much shorter than the second;
and the unusual difference observable in the plumage of the male and
female. According to Latham, the scientific name given to these birds has
arisen from a custom the Chinese have of using them to warm their hands
upon during the winter. The various species inhabit India, the Malay
Islands, and Australia.
[Illustration: THE CHINESE QUAIL (_Excalfactoria Chinensis_).]