Quail \Quail\, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia,
qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel,
OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]
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1. (Zool.) 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).
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2. (Zool.) 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).
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3. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied
genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted
quail (Turnix varius). See Turnix.
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4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought
to be a very amorous bird. [Obs.] --Shak.
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Bustard quail (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), any one of several American ground
pigeons belonging to Geotrygon and allied genera.
Quail hawk (Zool.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk
(Hieracidea Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]).
Quail pipe. See Quail call, above.
Quail snipe (Zool.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe;
-- called also robin snipe, and brown snipe.
Sea quail (Zool.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.]
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