A Flight of Quails by Grant Allen
A Flight of Quails is a novel by Grant Allen that follows the story of a young woman named Margaret who inherits a large estate from her uncle. The book explores themes of love, betrayal, and social class in Victorian England.
By Grant Allen · First published 1890 · Genre: Nature Writing, Travel Literature, Essay · 1,551 words
First lines
IT is one of the wonders and delights of the moorland that here alone Nature pays the first call, instead of demurely waiting to be called upon. Near great towns she is coy; and even in the fields that abut on villages, she shows but a few familiar aspects; while aloof on the open heath she reveals herself unreservedly, like a beautiful woman to her chosen lover. She exhibits all her moods and bares all her secrets. This afternoon, late, we were lounging on the low window-seat by the lattice that gives upon the purple spur of hillside, when suddenly a strange din as of half-human voices aroused our attention. "Look, look! " Elsie cried, seizing my arm in her excitement. And, indeed, the vision was a marvellous and a lovely one. From the lonely pine-tree that tops the long spur above the Golden Glen, a ceaseless stream of brown birds seemed to flow and disengage itself. It was a living cataract.
What this Textopian page supports
A Flight of Quails is listed on Textopian as a short story by Grant Allen, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Grant Allen
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Travel Literature, Essay, Literary Fiction, Ornithology
- Length: 1,551 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Flight of Quails by Grant Allen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Flight of Quails?
- How does this short story by Grant Allen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Writing first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Harebell by Grant Allen
- A Desert Fruit by Grant Allen
- The Strange Adventure Of James Shervinton by Louis Becke
- The Wanderer by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Chase Of Ages by C. J. Dennis
- High Life by Grant Allen
Genres
- Nature Writing — The text focuses on the beauty and behavior of quails in their natural habitat, emphasizing the wonders of nature.
- Travel Literature — The narrative describes the migratory journey of quails across Europe, akin to a travelogue of their flight path.
- Essay — The writing style is reflective and analytical, exploring themes of nature and human interaction with the environment.
- Literary Fiction — The text uses poetic language and vivid imagery to create a narrative that is rich in literary quality.
Tags
adventure · mystery · nature · wildlife · quails · exploration · friendship · survival · intrigue · travel · rural · family