T[IUEE-TOED OR CUSTARD-QUAILS. 273 



hard-pressed, lie so close as almost to allow themselves to be 

 trodden on before they take wing, after which it is really 

 imi)ossible to flush them a second time. They feed on insects 

 and seeds." 



Mr. Ayres says that this species is scarce in the Transvaal and 

 inhabits the open veldt. It is solitary in its habits, and is sel- 

 dom if ever found on the corn lands with the common Quail. 

 He never met with more than two together. 



Eggs. — Like those of T. sylvatica^ but smaller, and the mark- 

 ings finer and closer. Measurements, o'88 by 072 inch. 



VI. THE LITTLE BUSTARD-QUAIL. TURNIX DUSSUiMIERI. 



Hetnipodius dussumieri^ Temm. PI. Col. v. pi. 454, fig. 2 (1828). 

 Hemipodius sykesi, Smith, 111. Zool. S. Afr. ii. (see H. kpurana, 



pi. 16, footnote) (1838). 

 Tu?'nlx dussumieri, Gould, B. Asia, vii. pi. 10 (1869); Hume 

 & Marshall, Game Birds of India, ii. p. 193, pi, (1879) j 

 Gates, cd. Hume's Nests and Eggs Ind. B. iii. p. 371 

 (1890); Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. Brit. ]\Ius. xxii. p. 540 

 (1S93). 

 Adult Male and Female. — Shoulder-feathers margined with 

 go/den hujf or straw-colour ; feathers of the sides of the breast 

 buff, each with a black or black and rufous spot near the 

 extremity ; middle of the breast buff and not much brighter than 

 the sides. The male is generally paler and somewhat smaller 

 (wing, 27 inches) than the female, in which the measurements 

 are: total length, 5 inches; wing, 2*9; tail, 1-5; tarsus, 

 075- 



Range.- -India, Pegu, Hainan and Formosa. 

 Habits — This species, also known as the little '' Button 

 Quail," is a comparatively common and widely-distributed 

 species, and is to a considerable extent migratory, visiting and 

 breeding in the Himalaya and other parts of Northern and 

 Western India, where it is not seen except during the breeding- 

 season. 



J 2 T 



