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CO TURNIX PEC TORALIS, Gould.

Pectoral Quail.
Coturnix pectoralis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 8;

Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., Part ITI. p. 40.
Stubble Quail of the Colonists of Van Diemen’s Land.

and in Syn. Birds of Australia. Part ies nst on

 

In Van Diemen’s Land, South Australia and New South Ww
have also received specimens from Western Australia
both of which localities the specimens are smaller

ales, the present species is very abundant; I
and a single example from the north coast, from

, and have a more buffy tint pervading the under surface ;
I am not, however, prepared to affirm that they are specific

ally distinct from the bird here figured, although
I am disposed to regard them as such. Open grassy plains, extensive grass flats, and those parts of the

country under cultivation, are situations favourable to the habits of the bird; in its economy and mode of
life, in fact, it so closely resembles the Quail of Europe (Coturnix communis), that a description of one is
equally descriptive of the other. In South Australia it may be found on all the extensive plains to the
north of Adelaide; I sometimes flushed a single bird without finding another in the neighbourhood, while
at others I met with it in pairs or in small parties of from four to six in number. Although occa-
sionally found in the immediate neighbourhood, it affects totally different situations from those frequented
by the Synotcus Australis, which goes in coveys, and which differs but little in its habits from the Common
Partridge (Perdiv cinerea). Its powers of flight are considerable, and when flushed, it wings its way with
arrow-like swiftness to a distant part of the plain; it lies well to a pointer, and has from the first
settlement of the colony always afforded considerable amusement to the sportsman. I need scarcely
say that it is an excellent bird for the table, equalling as it does in this respect its European representative.
During my rambles in the districts frequented by this Quail, I frequently found its nest and eggs, which
bear a strong resemblance to those of our own Quail; much variation, however, exists in their colouring,
some being largely blotched all over with brown on a straw-white ground, while from this to a finely peppered
marking every variety occurred; the number of eggs in each nest varied from eleven to fourteen. The
situations chosen for the nest are also very various ; I sometimes found it placed among the thick grass of
the luxuriant flats, while at others it was artfully concealed by a tuft of overhanging grass on the open
plains, where the temperature was of a much warmer character, and where, from the exposed situation, the
sun’s rays caused a degree of heat never felt in the humid situations just alluded to. ‘The chief food of this
species is grain, seeds and insects, the grain as a matter of course being only procured in cultivated
districts ; and hence the name of Stubble Quail has been given to it by the colonists of Van Diemen’s Land,
from the great numbers that visit the fields after the harvest is over. E

September and the three following months constitute the breeding-season ; but it is somewhat later in
Van Diemen’s Land than in South Australia and New South Wales.

The average weight of the male is four ounces and a half; ie female, which rarely equals her ne
in size, may at all times be distinguished by the total absence of the black markings on the chest, and by
the throat being white instead of buff. ; : fie
s, ear-coverts and throat buff; crown of the head and back of the neck deep

The male has the lore oe oe
of vellowish white; a similar line down the centre of the head from

brown; over each eye two parallel lines =e
back of the neck brown, each feather marked down its centre with a lanceolate
Cc

the forehead to the nape ; |
ye mantle, back and upper tail-coverts brown,

mark of yellowish white, blotched on each side with black ;
Z . . Es : hoe eee 1
transversely rayed with zigzag markings of black, and stripec | eae
yellowish white ; wines brown, transversely rayed with zigzag lines of grey and blac . ; aries é
Ae : ; yhite, eac sather Marke wn its centre
centre of the chest black ; sides of the chest brown ; abdomen white, each feather markec = : S :
ee hi 2 sither side by a fine line o
with black: flanks rich brown, the centre of each feather white, bounded on either side by a
; : . ~
black ; bill black; irides hazel ; feet pearly vinous white. ee
The female differs in being destitute of the black marks on the chest,
buff, and in the bill being olive instead of black.
The Plate represents both sexes of the natural size.

down the centre with lanceolate markings of

in the throat being white instead of