- Coturnix pectoralis
- Quail Quail, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia,
qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel,
OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any gallinaceous bird belonging to {Coturnix}
and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the
common European quail ({Coturnix communis}), the rain
quail ({Coturnix Coromandelica}) of India, the stubble
quail ({Coturnix pectoralis}), and the Australian swamp
quail ({Synoicus australis}).
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several American partridges belonging to {Colinus}, {Callipepla}, and allied genera, especially the bobwhite (called {Virginia quail}, and {Maryland quail}), and the California quail ({Calipepla Californica}). [1913 Webster]
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted quail ({Turnix varius}). See {Turnix}. [1913 Webster]
4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{Bustard quail} (Zo["o]l.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird of the genus {Turnix}, as {Turnix taigoor}, a black-breasted species, and the hill bustard quail ({Turnix ocellatus}). See {Turnix}.
{Button quail} (Zo["o]l.), one of several small Asiatic species of Turnix, as {Turnix Sykesii}, which is said to be the smallest game bird of India.
{Mountain quail}. See under {Mountain}.
{Quail call}, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net or within range.
{Quail dove} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several American ground pigeons belonging to {Geotrygon} and allied genera.
{Quail hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk ({Hieracidea Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]}).
{Quail pipe}. See {Quail call}, above.
{Quail snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe; -- called also {robin snipe}, and {brown snipe}.
{Sea quail} (Zo["o]l.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.] [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
