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(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])
[Collected Explanations] Chen Cangqi stated: Yingji (Wild Pheasant-like Bird) is found in Zezhou where quartz crystals are abundant, and it frequently consumes crushed quartz. Its appearance resembles a pheasant but with a short tail; its body generates heat and lacks feathers on the surface, while the feathers under the abdomen are red. It cannot fly far, and its intestines often contain quartz. Humans consume it to harness the efficacy of quartz. Currently, people feed chickens with quartz powder and consume their eggs, which ultimately does not compare to this specific bird.
Meat
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Benefits the pathway of Yang, tonifies deficiency and damage, makes one robust and plump with lustrous complexion, increases appetite, prevents coldness, and maintains substantial Qi without susceptibility to cold syndromes (Chen Cangqi).

(From *Shiwu Bencao* [Materia Medica of Foods])
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen stated: Yangji (Rail/Bittern) is as large as a young chicken, with white cheeks, a long beak, and a short tail, featuring white spots on its back. It mostly inhabits the banks of fields and wetlands. It calls throughout the night from after the Summer Solstice until dawn, ceasing after autumn. There is a type called "Ping" Ji (Bird), which belongs to the category of Yangji. It is as large as a chicken with long legs and a red comb. Males are larger and brownish, while females are slightly smaller with spotted plumage. They disappear by autumn and winter; their call is very loud, and humans also consume them.
Meat
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Treats ant-fistula (Wang Ying's annotation).

(From *Bencao Yan Yi* [Expanded Meaning of Materia Medica])
[Names] Li Shizhen stated: The quail has a gentle nature, hiding in shallow grass, having no fixed dwelling but having fixed mates, adapting to its surroundings. This is what Zhuangzi referred to as "the sage dwells like a quail." When walking, they turn away upon encountering small grass, demonstrating gentleness. Their eggs are called "Chunzi." Kou Zongshi stated: Eggs freshly laid are called Luo Chun; early autumn ones are called Zao Qiu; those laid after the Mid-Autumn are called Bai Tang. These are four names for one entity.
[Collected Explanations] Su Song stated: Quails are transformed from toads. Shenwei stated: In *Tan Yuan*, Yang Yi recorded that during the summer and autumn of the Zhidao era (995-997 AD), vendors in Bianjing sold carts full of quails at the market, all transformed from frogs, some not yet fully transformed, as mentioned in *Liezi*: "frogs transform into quails." Kou Zongshi argued: Quails have distinct males and females, and their eggs are frequently found in fields; how can they be said to transform? Li Shizhen stated: Quails are as large as chick hatchlings, with fine heads and no tails, spotted plumage, and are very fat. Males hold their feet high; females hold theirs low. They fear cold. In the fields, they fly in groups at night and hide in grass during the day. Humans can capture them by calling and keep them for fighting. *Wanbi Shu* states: Toads transform into quails when they obtain melons. *Jiaozhou Ji* states: A yellow fish in the South Sea transforms into quails in September. Salt-grilled quail meat is very fat and delicious. Generally, quails begin as transformations but reproduce via eggs, hence available year-round. Conversely, certain creatures start as mouse transformations and revert to mice, existing only in summer.
Meat
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Su Song stated: Not suitable for consumption before the fourth lunar month. Do not consume with pig liver, as it causes black moles on the skin; do not consume with mushrooms, as it induces hemorrhoids.
[Indications] Tonifies the five Zang organs, benefits middle Qi and sustains vital energy, strengthens bones and sinews, adapts to cold and heat, and resolves stagnant heat. Boiled with adzuki beans and fresh ginger, it stops dysentery. Fried in ghee, it promotes fleshiness in the lower jiao (*Bencao Yan Yi*). For children suffering from infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome) and five-colored dysentery, daily morning consumption is effective (Kou Zongshi).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: According to Dong Bing's *Ji Yan Fang*: The wife of Scholar Wei suffered from abdominal distension like a drum, with limbs emaciated to the bone, unable to lie flat on a mat, forced to sleep suspended in clothes and bedding, unable to eat grain for days. Suddenly craving quail, she consumed it according to method, resulting in severe diarrhea shortly after. She then sweated profusely, became mute, and felt the urge to defecate/urinate. Upon being helped to the toilet, she expelled white fluid coagulated like goose fat. After several such episodes, expulsion completed, she recovered. This was likely due to long-standing damp-heat accumulation in the middle jiao. Examining the materia medica, quail resolves heat knots and treats pediatric Gan syndrome, which is logically consistent. Dong's account is thus. Li Shizhen notes: Since quails transform from frogs, their energetic properties are similar. Frogs and toads resolve heat, treat Gan syndrome, and promote urination to reduce edema; therefore, quail's ability to reduce abdominal distension shares the same efficacy.