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. (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). [ 1913 Webster ]

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). [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 Novæ-Hollandiæ). --
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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]