—are small birds, found, at certain seasons, in corn fields and stubbles, as well as in the standing crops of backward clover: they partake, in a certain degree, of the game species, as spaniels (that are well bred) instantly feather, and pointers gradually draw to a doubtful POINT, upon winding them, and STAND FIRM if near to the bird. Quails are considered birds of passage, as they are only to be seen in the centrical parts of the kingdom during the four warmest months of the year. They get up before the dog with great reluctance, running till almost weary before they rise. When upon wing, a very moderate shot will bring them down. In those counties where they are found in greater plenty than in some others, they are caught alive, by means of what is termed a QUAIL-CALL and NETS; and sometimes in such numbers, as to be seen at the shops of the London poulterers in cages exhibited for sale.
QUALIFICATION
—is both a sporting and parliamentary term for the privilege of killing game, in HUNTING, COURSING, SHOOTING, or by any mode which the qualified party may chuse to adopt; provided it is not repugnant to such other Acts as are still in force for the prevention of POACHING, and those nocturnal depredations by which the game is annually so daringly reduced. This qualification (or exemption from the penalties of former Acts during different reigns) till of very late years, consisted in the full and unrestrained possession of one hundred pounds per annum, issuing from FREEHOLD LAND, or estate, and producing that clear annual sum when every other expence was paid: or, the possession of a LEASEHOLD estate of one hundred and fifty pounds per annum, in right of self or wife, for the term of ninety-nine years, or any term beyond that period. In addition to which, it is enacted by an Act of the Legislature during the present reign of George the Third, That every person in Great Britain who shall use any dog, gun, net, or other engine, for the taking or destruction of GAME, shall take out an annual certificate, from the Clerk of the Peace for the county in which he resides, and shall pay for such certificate the sum of THREE POUNDS THREE SHILLINGS, with one shilling to the clerk for his trouble in making it out. See Game, and Game Laws.
QUALIFICATIONS
—appertain, in a particular degree, to the subject of RACING upon the TURF, and is used in a certain signification. Plates of 50l. are given at numerous places of sport, to be run for on certain conditions; some by COLTS and FILLIES of three years old; some four years old; others five and six; and, lastly, for HORSES of all AGES and QUALIFICATIONS. The precise meaning of which is, that a horse equal in AGE to one or more of his competitors, may be very superior in qualifications; in which case it becomes necessary and equitable to bring their abilities more upon an equality, by so encreasing the weight which one is to carry above the standard of the other, that there may be left very little probability of deciding upon the certainty of superiority in SPEED, when the impartial and judicious adjustment of weight is so properly fixed, as to leave an equal hope and expectation of winning the PRIZE for which they are to start. To render such mode the less liable to objection, it is mostly the custom to say in the advertisements, a winner of one plate in the present year to carry 3lb. the winner of two, 5lb. and of three, or more, 7lb. extra.
QUARTER (False.)
—The DEFECT so called in the hoof of a HORSE, is the renovated part of what has been by some accident previously destroyed; and this effort of nature being inadequate, in its regeneration, to the original formation, the quarter of the heel, in its growth, acquires a kind of spongy puffiness or elasticity, accompanied by a CLEFT or CRACK, which prevents a perfect and undivided union with that part of the hoof uninjured, constituting a tender weakness, as well as a permanent blemish, not to be obliterated during the life of the horse. Notwithstanding which, much depends upon the management during the time the original injury remains in its infant state. A wanton destruction of parts, by the too hasty and injudicious interposition of CAUSTICS and CUTTING KNIVES, frequently does more mischief in twelve hours, than Nature, with all her powerful endeavours, can repair in as many months. When by these, or other means, a false quarter cannot be avoided, it should be occasionally attended to during the progress of its growth: the uneven prominencies should, when becoming luxuriant and irregular, be kept down by gentle erasions with the RASP, and the surface, the cleft, and surrounding part, be plentifully moistened with FRIAR'S BALSAM, TINCTURE of MYRRH, or some such applicable substitute, as may give it a gradational hardening, and effectually reduce the irritability of the parts affected. To relieve the ill-effect of this inconvenience to a certain degree, a BAR-SHOE may be so carefully constructed, as to shield the tender and weaker part of the hoof from PRESSURE; and this can only be done by forming the shoe of such thickness, as to admit of its taking its bearing equally from the sound parts of the hoof, about an inch or two on each side the seat of injury, with strength sufficient to prevent a chance of its indentation upon the tender part intended to be protected.
QUARTERS
.—The fore and hind parts of a horse are frequently so called; for instance, such a horse is beautifully formed in his FORE QUARTERS, but he is exceedingly ill made behind; and some are well proportioned in the gascoins, the hip, the rump, and hocks, but are ill formed and low before. The FORE QUARTERS include the head, neck, breast, withers, and fore legs, to the girths; the HIND QUARTERS comprehend the hips, thighs, hams, hocks, and hind legs.