NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 733 



The breeding months are from September to February, when two 

 broods are probably reared. In Tasmania it is stated that the chief 

 months ai-e October, November and December. 



569. — TuRNi.x CASTANONOTA, Gould. — (482) 



CHESTNUT-BACKED QUAIL. 



Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 85. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxii., p. 552. 



Geographical DUtrihutinn. — North-west Australia, Northern Terri- 

 tory, and North Queensland. 



Nest and Eggs. — Undescribcd.* 



Observations. — Little is known of the habits of the Chestnut-backed 

 Quail, except that it is an inhabitant of the nortliem part of Australia. 

 Gould transcribes the following note of Gilbert : " This species inhabits 

 the sides of stony hills in coveys of from fifteen to thirty in number, 

 which, when distm-bed, seldom rise together, but run along the ground ; 

 and it is only upon being very closely pvu'sued that they wiU take wing, 

 and then they merely fly to a short distance. While ranning on the 

 ground, their heads are thrown up as high as their necks will permit, 

 and their bodies being carried very erect, a waddling motion is given 

 to their gait, which is very ludicrous. The stomachs of those dissected 

 were very muscular, and contained seeds and a large proportion of 

 pebbles." 



570. — TuRNix PYERHOTHORAx, Gould. — (484) 

 RED-CHESTED QUAIL. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 86. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxii., p. 553. 



Previous Description of Eggs. — North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 287 

 (1889). 



Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory, Queensland, New 

 South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 



Nest.- — Similar to that of T. velox. 



•There is in the collection of Mr. D. Le Souef a pair of eggs from a clutch 

 of four, found in the Port Darwin district, 21st January, 1S99, which may 

 possibly be referable to this species. The eggs are remarkably round in form, 

 sharply nipped off at one end ; texture, firm and fine ; surface, very glossy ; 

 colour, white, sparingly marked with roundish blotches and spots of sepia, 

 umber, and dull greyish-blue. Dimensions in inches ; (i) -98 x '84, (2) -95 x "84. 



