Quail

The Quail in Ancient Egypt


 * Egyptian Name:**

//Paa'w't//


 * Hieroglyphics:**



Regarded as a delicacy, large numbers of the migrating Common Quail were caught in Egypt when they landed exhausted after crossing the Mediterranean. Hunters spread nets and frightened the birds into rising, causing the birds to become enmeshed in the nets, where they were easily picked off.

Herodotus stated that dried and salted quail was a favorite food of the ancient Egyptians. According to the Harris Papyrus, the oblations Ramses III gave to the Temple of Amun at Karnak included 21,700 quails. Even the deceased enjoyed a feast of quail - the preserved dinner found in the tomb of an elderly woman buried at Sakkara included roasted quail. The hieroglyphic of a quail chick was a common one, meaning "O," "U," and "W."

The Other Birds of Ancient Egypt