What is "virginia quail"

Quail \Quail\, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia, qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel, OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]

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).

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).

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.

4. 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.]

Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia.

Virginia cowslip (Bot.), the American lungwort ( Mertensia Virginica).

Virginia creeper (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ( Ampelopsis quinquefolia), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also woodbine, and American ivy. [U. S.]

Virginia fence. See Worm fence, under Fence.

Virginia nightingale (Zo["o]l.), the cardinal bird. See under Cardinal.

Virginia quail (Zo["o]l.), the bobwhite.

Virginia reel, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States.
--Bartlett.

Virginia stock. (Bot.) See Mahon stock.