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"Coturnix. Bill smaller and much slenderer than that of any of the foregoing genera of Odontophorinae; nasal fossae feathered, except on the tumid nasal scale. Wings of moderate length, little vaulted and not rounded, pointed by the 1st-3d quills, the 1st not shorter than the next. First primary emarginate on inner web; 2d and 3d sinuate on outer web. Tail extremely short and slight, not half as long as the wing, pointed, its feathers very soft, the central pair lanceolate. Feet small; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw, slightly feathered above in front, with two rows of alternating large scutella in front, two rows of smaller rounded scales meeting in a ridge behind, the sides filled in with small plates. Size smaller than that of any of the foregoing species; pattern of coloration somewhat as in Ortyx; sexes nearly alike." Elliot Coues, 1884

European Partridge

"Coturnix. Bill smaller and much slenderer than that of any of the foregoing genera of Odontophorinae;…

"The Quail is a small game bird; the Virginia species is common in North America, and so far south as Honduras. It is larger than the European quail, and is better eating. The California crested quail is another American species. THe quail, genus Coturnix, is widely distributed over the Eastern Hemisphere, visiting Europe in early summer and returning S. in the autumn, when immense numbers are caught and fattened for the market. Length about seven inches, general color reddish-brown, with buff streaks on the upper surface; throat rufous; head, dark brown above, striped with ocherous white, sides reddish-brown, lower parts pale buff, fading into white on belly. Color less bright in the hen bird, and the rufous tinge absent from the throat. They nest on the ground, laying from 9 to 15 pyriform, yellowish-white eggs, blotched with dark-brown. The males are polygamous and extremely pugnacious."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Lophortyx Californicus Quail

"The Quail is a small game bird; the Virginia species is common in North America, and so far south as…