THE QUAIL. 199

eye, and no spurs. The true quails are not found in Ame-
rica, but abound in Asia, Africa, and the southern parts of
Europe; they are migratory birds, and are seen in prodi-
gious flocks flying across the Mediterranean from Europe to
Africa, in the autumn, and returning in the spring; they
have sometimes appeared in such immense numbers at

_ Naples, that a hundred thousand have been taken in a day,
within four or five miles. And Bewick says, it appears —
probable that the quails which supplied the Israelites with
food, were driven into the desert by a wind from the south-
west, sweeping over Ethiopia and Egypt towards the shores
of the Red Sea.

“These birds, as well as the way of taking and preparing
them, must have been well known to the Israelites while -
in Egypt. At the proper season these migratory birds re-
sorted to Egypt in such vast flocks, that even the dense
population of Egypt was unable to consume them while
fresh ; but they salted and dried great quantities for future
use. It is still the same in those countries: and modern
travellers, on witnessing the incredible numbers of these
birds, have expressed their conviction, that, as the text de-
scribes, such a suitable wind as the Almighty sent, could
only have been necessary, in order to supply even the great