Hai Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Bird (niǎo) Chun Kangxi Strokes: 19 Page 1493, Entry 01 Pronounced chun Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): A quail. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao): The quail is similar in size to a young chick; it has a small head and no tail, with spots on its body. The male has high legs, while the female has short legs. Masters of Huainan (Huainanzi): Field mice transform into quails. Bi Wan's Techniques (Biwan Shu): When a toad gains claws, it transforms into a quail. Record of Jiaozhou (Jiaozhouji): In the Southern Sea, there is a type of yellow fish that transforms into a quail in the ninth month. Lu Dian states: Quails have no fixed residence, but they do have fixed mates. Thus, the Master Shi (Shizi) says: Yao lived simply like a quail. The Book of Odes (Shijing) says: Quails run in pairs. This refers to the fact that quails do not stray from their mates; the people of the State of Wei considered Xuan Jiang to be inferior even to a quail. It is commonly said that this bird has a sincere and honest nature; when flying, it always follows the grass, and when walking, it does not cross over the grass. If grass blocks its path, it goes around it, which is why it is called a quail. Correct Guide to Characters (Zhengzitong): The quail has a particularly bald tail, appearing as if its feathers were tied in a short knot. Therefore, whenever clothing is tattered, people say it is torn like a hanging quail. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): On the Mound of Kunlun, there is a bird called the quail bird. It is in charge of the various garments of the Celestial Emperor. Also a name for a constellation. Piya: The seven constellations of the southern vermilion bird are called the Quail Head, Quail Fire, and Quail Tail. Also a county name. History of the Former Han: Geography Treatise (Qianhan Dili Zhi): Anding Commandery contains Chunyin County. History of the Later Han: Treatises on Commanderies and Kingdoms (Houhan Junguozhi): Anding Commandery contains Chungu County. Also identical to the character for pure/mellow (chun). Yangzi (Yangzi Gaoxue Pian): Ah, when spring wood first grows, the hand that reaches out to me is pure and harmonious. This refers to Confucius teaching people, using his hand to assist others and make them pure and gentle. Also pronounced chun. The meaning is the same. Also pronounced dun. Zhuangzi: Heaven and Earth (Zhuangzi Tiandi Pian): The sage lives like a quail, settled wherever he finds himself, and like a fledgling bird, he seeks no food without intention. Also pronounced tuan. Book of Odes (Shijing): It is neither an eagle nor a hawk, yet it can fly high into the sky. Commentary: Chun, read as tuan.