Hypertext Webster Gateway: "quails"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Quails
The Israelites were twice relieved in their privation by a
miraculous supply of quails, (1) in the wilderness of Sin (Ex.
16:13), and (2) again at Kibroth-hattaavah (q.v.), Num. 11:31.
God "rained flesh upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as
the sand of the sea" (Ps. 78:27). The words in Num. 11:31,
according to the Authorized Version, appear to denote that the
quails lay one above another to the thickness of two cubits
above the ground. The Revised Version, however, reads, "about
two cubits above the face of the earth", i.e., the quails flew
at this height, and were easily killed or caught by the hand.
Being thus secured in vast numbers by the people, they "spread
them all abroad" (11:32) in order to salt and dry them.
These birds (the Coturnix vulgaris of naturalists) are found
in countless numbers on the shores of the Mediterranean, and
their annual migration is an event causing great excitement.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Turnix \Tur"nix\, n. [NL., fr. L. coturnix a quail.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of birds belonging to {Turnix} or
{Hemipodius} and allied genera of the family {Turnicid[ae]}.
These birds resemble quails and partridges in general
appearance and in some of their habits, but differ in
important anatomical characteristics. The hind toe is usually
lacking. They are found in Asia, Africa, Southern Europe, the
East Indian Islands, and esp. in Australia and adjacent
islands, where they are called {quails} (see {Quail}, n.,
3.). See {Turnicimorph[ae]}.
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