is the name by which the inhabitants of the Philippine islands distinguish their quail, which, though smaller than ours, is in every other respect very like it.

POITIERS, an ancient, large, and considerable town of France, capital of Poitou. It was a bishop's see, and contained four abbeys, a mint, an university famous for law, 22 parishes, 9 convents for men, and 12 numeraries. There are here several Roman antiquities, and particularly an amphitheatre, but partly demolished, and hid by the houses. There is also a triumphal arch, which serves as a gate to the great street. It is not peopled in proportion to its extent. Near this place Edward the Black Prince gained a decisive victory over the French, taking King John and his son Philip prisoners, in 1356, whom he afterwards brought over into England. See France, No 71, &c.—It is seated on a hill on the river Clain, 52 miles south-west of Tours, and 120 north by east of Bordeaux. E. Long. o. 25. N. Lat. 46. 35.

POITOU, a province of France, bounded on the north by Bretagne, Anjou, and part of Touraine; on the east by Touraine, Berry, and Manche; on the south by Angoumois, Saintonge, and the territory of Aunis; and on the west by the sea of Galcony. It is divided into the Upper and Lower; and is fertile in corn and wine, and feeds a great number of cattle, particularly mules. It was in possession of the kings of England for a considerable time, till it was lost by the unfortunate Henry VI. Poitiers is the capital town.

Colic of Poitou. See Medicine, No 303.