Sea quail

Sea quail \Sea" quail`\ (Zool.)
   The turnstone.
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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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Turnstone \Turn"stone`\, n. (Zool.)
   Any species of limicoline birds of the genera {Strepsilas}
   and {Arenaria}, allied to the plovers, especially the common
   American and European species ({Strepsilas interpres}). They
   are so called from their habit of turning up small stones in
   search of mollusks and other aquatic animals. Called also
   {brant bird}, {sand runner}, {sea quail}, {sea lark},
   {sparkback}, and {skirlcrake}.
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   {Black turnstone}, the California turnstone ({Arenaria
      melanocephala}). The adult in summer is mostly black,
      except some white streaks on the chest and forehead, and
      two white loral spots.
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