QUAILS—are small birds, found, at certain seasons, in corn fields and
stubbles, as well as in the standing crops of backward clover: they
partake, in a certain degree, of the game species, as spaniels (that are
well bred) instantly _feather_, and pointers gradually draw to a
doubtful POINT, upon _winding_ them, and STAND FIRM if near to the bird.
QUAILS are considered birds of passage, as they are only to be seen in
the centrical parts of the kingdom during the four warmest months of the
year. They get up before the dog with great reluctance, running till
almost weary before they rise. When upon wing, a very moderate shot will
bring them down. In those counties where they are found in greater
plenty than in some others, they are caught alive, by means of what is
termed a QUAIL-CALL and NETS; and sometimes in such numbers, as to be
seen at the shops of the London poulterers in cages exhibited for sale.
QUALIFICATION—is both a sporting and parliamentary term for the
privilege of killing game, in HUNTING, COURSING, SHOOTING, or by _any_
mode which the qualified party may chuse to adopt; provided it is not
repugnant to such other Acts as are still in force for the prevention of
POACHING, and those nocturnal depredations by which the game is annually
so daringly reduced. This qualification (or exemption from the penalties
of former Acts during different reigns) till of very late years,
consisted in the full and unrestrained possession of one hundred pounds
per annum, issuing from FREEHOLD LAND, or estate, and producing that
_clear_ annual sum when _every other_ expence was paid: or, the
possession of a LEASEHOLD estate of one hundred and fifty pounds per
annum, in right of _self_ or _wife_, for the term of ninety-nine years,
or any term beyond that period. In addition to which, it is enacted by
an Act of the Legislature during the present reign of GEORGE the THIRD,
That every person in Great Britain who shall use any _dog_, _gun_,
_net_, or other _engine_, for the _taking_ or _destruction_ of GAME,
shall take out an annual certificate, from the CLERK of the PEACE for
the county in which he resides, and shall pay for such certificate the
sum of THREE POUNDS THREE SHILLINGS, with one shilling to the clerk for
his trouble in making it out. See GAME, and GAME LAWS.
QUALIFICATIONS—appertain, in a particular degree, to the subject of
RACING upon the TURF, and is used in a certain signification. Plates of
50_l._ are given at numerous places of sport, to be run for on certain
conditions; some by COLTS and FILLIES of _three_ years old; some _four_
years old; others _five_ and _six_; and, lastly, for HORSES of all AGES
and QUALIFICATIONS. The precise meaning of which is, that a horse equal
in AGE to _one_ or _more_ of his competitors, may be very superior in
qualifications; in which case it becomes necessary and equitable to
bring their abilities more upon an equality, by so encreasing the weight
which one is to carry above the standard of the other, that there may be
left very little probability of deciding upon the _certainty_ of
superiority in SPEED, when the impartial and judicious adjustment of
weight is so properly fixed, as to leave an equal hope and expectation
of winning the PRIZE for which they are to _start_. To render such mode
the less liable to objection, it is mostly the custom to say in the
advertisements, a winner of _one_ plate in the present year to carry
3lb. the winner of _two_, 5lb. and of _three_, or _more_, 7lb. extra.
QUARTER (FALSE.)—The DEFECT so called in the _hoof_ of a HORSE, is the
renovated part of what has been by some accident previously destroyed;
and this effort of nature being inadequate, in its regeneration, to the
original formation, the quarter of the heel, in its growth, acquires a
kind of spongy puffiness or elasticity, accompanied by a CLEFT or CRACK,
which prevents a perfect and undivided union with that part of the hoof
uninjured, constituting a tender weakness, as well as a permanent
blemish, not to be obliterated during the life of the horse.
Notwithstanding which, much depends upon the management during the time
the original injury remains in its infant state. A wanton destruction of
parts, by the too hasty and injudicious interposition of CAUSTICS and
CUTTING KNIVES, frequently does more mischief in twelve hours, than
Nature, with all her powerful endeavours, can repair in as many months.
When by these, or other means, a false quarter cannot be avoided, it
should be occasionally attended to during the progress of its growth:
the uneven prominencies should, when becoming luxuriant and irregular,
be kept down by gentle erasions with the RASP, and the surface, the
cleft, and surrounding part, be plentifully moistened with FRIAR'S
BALSAM, TINCTURE of MYRRH, or some such applicable substitute, as may
give it a gradational hardening, and effectually reduce the irritability
of the parts affected. To relieve the ill-effect of this inconvenience
to a certain degree, a BAR-SHOE may be so carefully constructed, as to
shield the _tender_ and _weaker_ part of the hoof from PRESSURE; and
this can only be done by forming the shoe of such thickness, as to admit
of its taking its bearing equally from the sound parts of the hoof,
about an inch or two on each side the seat of injury, with strength
sufficient to prevent a chance of its indentation upon the tender part
intended to be protected.
QUARTERS.—The fore and hind parts of a horse are frequently so called;
for instance, such a horse is beautifully formed in his FORE QUARTERS,
but he is exceedingly _ill made_ behind; and some are well proportioned
in the gascoins, the hip, the rump, and hocks, but are ill formed and
low before. The FORE QUARTERS include the head, neck, breast, withers,
and fore legs, to the girths; the HIND QUARTERS comprehend the hips,
thighs, hams, hocks, and hind legs.
QUEST.—Hounds (beagles or harriers) are said to QUEST, when they first
give tongue after coming upon _trail_. Spaniels are said to _quest_
also, when they give tongue in covert, upon coming up to the foot and
scent of partridge, pheasant, hare, or cock.
OUICKSILVER—is an article of almost incredible medical utility; a full
and explanatory description of which will be found under the head
MERCURY.
QUITTOR.—The serious injury so denominated, is, in its origin, a painful
and inflammatory formation of matter (arising from various causes) at
the precise junction of the HAIR with the upper part of the HOOF: this,
from the peculiar construction of the parts, particularly if
injudiciously conduced, soon degenerates into a virulent,
ill-conditioned ULCER, dangerous in its progress, and uncertain in its
termination. Treads, blows, and bruises, EXTERNALLY, and a lodgment of
gravel, or other extraneous substance, having insinuated itself
INTERNALLY, from the bottom of the foot, and working upwards, are
principally the means by which such misfortune is too frequently and
unluckily produced. The practice too prevalent with FARRIERS (newly
termed _veterinarians_) is to proceed with all possible _fire_ and
_fury_ to a speedy and unrelenting destruction of parts: the
introduction of a large portion of CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE is adopted to
"_bring away the core_;" or BLUE VITRIOL, reduced to powder, and mixed
with the OIL also, is used for the same: these frequently proving the
REMEDY to be _worse_ than the DISEASE, the _knife_ is called in aid,
and, by daily use, (after the patience of the owner is nearly exhausted,
and his purse equally operated upon with the horse,) the subject becomes
calculated for little _more_ or _less_ than the COLLAR MAKER, to whom
such patients are in general ultimately consigned: unless they fall into
the hands of judicious practitioners; who, knowing the properties of
medicine, and the useful interposition of art, can patiently condescend
to complete with the SYRINGE, what the less qualified can never perform
with the KNIFE.
QUITTOR-BONE—is a protrusive enlargement upon some part of the CORONET
of a HORSE, originating in a ligamentary distortion, fibrous rupture, or
internal injury; which continuing to encrease in size to the utmost
distention of the integument, it then gradually acquires a certain
degree of callosity, and lastly, OSSIFICATION, from whence is derived
its present denomination. Custom has established the alternatives of
BLISTERING or FIRING, and they not unfrequently succeed each other. A
little reflection will, however, determine whether it is not sometimes
better
"To bear those ills we have,
"Than fly to others that we know not of."