Quails on the sea

[michael norris <>]

Incidentally the quail was soaking wet with closed eyes when it was
found. There's a photo it -after it had dried out - on Birdline
Victoria for 4 February.
http://www.eremaea.com/BirdlineRecentSightings.aspx?Birdline=1

Doesn't seem to be enough disruption to the plumage for it to have
escaped from an Osprey.  

My best guess is that it was washed into the Yarra because of the 3cm
rainfall  on 31 Jan: the Yarra plume passes close to the shore of
Port Phillip in Brighton.  

I would be grateful if anyone could say whether it is  a  female or
immature bird.