S JOURNAL BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1891. 



827.— THE ROCK BUSH QUAIL. 



PenUeula argoondah, Sykes. 



The Rock Bush Quail is rare in Sind, and I believe altogether 

 absent from Ratnagh*i and Kanara. 



In all other parts of the Presidency, where the Jungle Bush 

 Quail is absent, this birds abounds. I do not think that the two 

 epecies are ever found together. 



The Jungle Bush Quail frequents the hills, especially when there 

 is low scrub jungle, and the Rock Bush Quail is addicted to the 

 plains. They breed from August to February, but September and 

 October are the months in which most eggs are to be found. The 

 nest is a very slight circular pad of grass, placed in a hollow under 

 the shelter of a tuft of coarse grass or clod of earth. The eggs, 

 from five to seven in number, are moderately broad ovals in shape, 

 pinched in at one end, and measure about an inch in length by about 

 0-82 in breadth. 



They are unspotted smoky-white in colour, occasionally almost 

 pure white. They are exact miniatures of those of the Common 

 Grey Partridge. 



828.— THE PAINTED BUSH QUAIL. 



Microperdix erythrorhynehus, Sykes. 

 I have never met with the Painted Bush Quail, but believe it 

 occurs all along the Sahyadri range, and in some parts of the Deccan. 

 The eggs in my collection came from Southern India, and do not 

 differ except in size from those of the Rock Bush Quail ; they are a 

 great deal larger, measuring 1"2 inches in length by rather more 

 than 0-9 in breadth. 



830.— THE BLACK-BREASTED QUAIL. 



Coturnix coromandelica, Gm. 



The Black-breasted or Rain Quail occurs more or less commonly 

 throughout the district, but is less common in forest clad or hilly 

 districts. 



It appears to be a mere straggler in Ratnagiri, and in many places 

 it is only found in the rains, and I think it is alwa} r s much commoner 

 everywhere at that time. Many no doubt are permanent residents, 

 but a large percentage come to breed only. 



