HEMIPODIUS VARIUS.
Varied Hemipode.

Perdix varia, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. Lxiii.

New Holland Partridge, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. Pp: 283.

Varied Quail, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. viii. p- 344. no. 88.

Hemipodius varius, Temm. Pl. Col., 454. f. 1—Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part II.

Turniz varius, Vieill. 2nd Edit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xxxiv.—Ib. Ency.
Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., part iii. p. 41.

Moo-ro-lum, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia.

Painted Quail, Colonists of Van Diemen’s Land and Swan River.

Méth., part i. p. 331.—List of

 

Amone the game birds of Australia the Varied Hemipode plays a rather prominent part, for although its
flesh is not so good for the table as that of the little partridge and quail, Synoicus Australis and Coturniv
pectorals, it is a bird which is not to be despised when the game-bag is emptied at the end of a day’s
sport, as it forms a not unacceptable variety to its contents. Although it does not actually associate with
either of the birds mentioned above, it is often found in the same districts, and all three species may be
procured in the course of a morning’s walk in any part of the colonies of New South Wales and Van Die-
men’s Land. The natural habits of the Hemipodius varius lead it to frequent sterile stony ridges, interspersed
with scrubby trees and moderately thick grass ; the quail, on the other hand, tenants the open plains and
fields of corn; the little partridge loves to dwell in swampy lands, where the herbage is rank and green ;
and these particulars relative to the habits of the three birds in question being known to the colonists who
have paid any attention to sporting, it is easy for them, by varying their ground, to procure either of the
species they desire to obtain.

The Varied Hemipode is very common in all parts of Van Diemen’s Land suitable to its habits, hills of
moderate elevation and of a dry stony character being the localities preferred; it is also numerous on the
sandy and sterile islands in Bass’s Straits; on the continent of Australia, it is abundant in New South Wales
and South Australia: specimens from Western Australia, which at first sight appear to be identical with the
bird here figured, are found to be smaller in size and to differ in their markings, and they will probably prove
to be a distinct species. Van Diemen’s Land specimens, having an average weight of five ounces each, are
rather larger than those of New South Wales ; no difference however occurs in their markings ; I therefore
consider them to be mere local varieties and not distinct species: no specimen has yet come under my notice
from the north coast, and the range of the species doubtless does not extend to within several degrees of
that latitude.

It runs remarkably quick, and when flushed flies low, its pointed wings giving it much the appearance of
a snipe or sandpiper. When running or walking over the ground the neck : stretched out and the head
carried very high, which together with the rounded contour of the back give he very grotesque appear-
ance. The breeding-season commences in August or September and terminates in January, during wnrel
period at least two broods are reared. The eggs are invariably four in number, and are either deposited
on the bare ground or in a slightly constructed nest of grasses, placed in some slight hollow, not unfre-
quently under the lee of a stone or at the foot of
the Sandpipers, being more pointed than those of .
very minutely and thickly spotted and freckled with reddist

a tuft of grass; they are very similar in form to those of
other gallinaceous birds ; they are of a very pale buff,

, brown, chestnut and purplish grey, one inch

and a quarter long by one inch broad.
It has rather a loud plaintive note, which is often repeated. . . |
One very remarkable feature connected with this bird, and indeed with all the species of the genus, is
the large Sue of the female when compared with that of her mate; so great, 1n ee is the ae that
: i iC] ] arent ; ifference however exists
1 ing Plate scarcely mak sufficiently apparent ; no dille
the figures in the accompanying Plate scarcely make it suff y ap] ;
in their colour and markings.
The young run as soon as they are hatched, anc |
i an scarcely be distinguished.
whose markings and colours resemble, but are less

1 their appearance then assimilates so closely to that of the
: The pretty downy coat with which
young partridges and quails that they ¢ Prete) :
they are then covered soon gives place to feathers,
brilliant than those of the adult.

s. orain and berries 5

i i yf ins of the former many kinds are eaten, but
The food of this species consists of insects, 2