The Collaborative International Dictionary
Quail \Quail\, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia, qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel, OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]
(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).
(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).
(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.
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A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird. [Obs.]
--Shak.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.]