The CHINESE QUAIL (_Excalfactoria Chinensis_) is a very beautiful bird,
with the entire mantle of an olive-brown, each feather having a dark and
light line on its shaft; the quills of the wing-covers are without these
markings, though some few of the shoulder-feathers are striped with deep
red. The brow, cheeks, breast, and sides are of a rich, deep grey; the
throat is black above, and white, surrounded by a black line, beneath;
the centre of the breast, the belly, lower tail-covers, and tail are of
a beautiful brownish red. The coloration of the female is less varied in
its tints; her chin is merely indicated by a small white patch, and the
light brown breast is striped. The eye of both is dark brown, the beak
black, and the foot bright yellow. The length of the male is five inches
and a quarter, and the breadth nine inches: the tail measures but one
inch. The female is not quite so large as her mate.
[Illustration: _Plate 28. Cassell's Book of Birds_