QUAIL.
COTURNIX VULGARIS.
WlTH the exception of a, straggler or two observed in Norfolk, I have only met with the Quail in the counties
of Cambridge and Sussex: according to my own experience, the numbers of this curious bird have greatly
decreased of lute years.
The bevies hatched on the fenlnnds between Newmarket and Cambridge (especially about llotlisham, Qui,
and Swalfham) afforded, some five and twenty years ago, fair sport at the commencement of the season. What
bags were mode on the strictly preserved lauds I had no means of aseertoining; seven brace, killed by a
couple of guns in half a day's shouting on the poor lauds or free fens, was the largest nunilier that came to
my knowledge. In November 1800, and again in 1801, I visited repeatedly all the likely grouud in this
district, but never, on any occasion, succeeded in obtaining above a brace or two, even after a long day's tramp.
The birds were commuuly found on oat-stubbles; mustard, however, appeared the cover fur which they
exhibited an especial preference. Oecosioually they were met with in the rough grass ami coarse herbage
round the outskirts of the fens, though seldom penetrating far on to the moist portions of the land.
Quail, according to my own experience, lie for the most part exceedingly close, rarely springing till
approached within the distance of three or four yards. When once on wing they make way with considerable
speed, offering, however, a remarkably easy shot, their line of [light being usually straight and, as a rule, at
no greater elevation than two or three feet from the ground. It is seldom this species Ilies far, though on
alighting again, even if carefully marked, they generally prove exceedingly difficult to find. A cunning obi
lcnion-and-w bite seller, my constant com pan ion on the fens, w as thoroughly up lo the work, and rarely in the
end did a bird succeed in escaping. Instead of follow big at once a single Quail marked down into the scanty
cover of the opeu feu, a good half-hour was usually allowed to pass before approaching the spot. Though
water-dykes frequently surrounded the piece of ground and prevented all chance of running, it was by no
means certain that the setter would immediately bit uff the scent.
Quails bred in considerable numbers in this locality during the seasons of 1801 and 1862, a nest or two
being discovered without difficulty whenever sought for. The morning and evening call of the male having
been previously noted by the observant natives of the fens, they were usually well informed as to the spot
near which the female was sitting. The nests I examined were placed in very slight scruteliiugs or natural
hollows in hay or rough grass, generally at no great distance from some marsh-wall or other commanding
elevation, on which in the twilight the male might he seen disporting himself.
In Norfolk I never met with this species in spring or summer; a brace that rose within three or four paces
at the moment both barrel- of my gun hail been discharged at a wisp of Snipe were the only stragglers that
came under my observation in this apparently very suitable locality. These birds were found, about the
middle of October 1871, in a patch of stunted rushes on a grass-marsh in the broad-district within a few miles
ofthecoasl.