Malayan Ornithology. 5 



neck end on each side of it was a greyish-blue patch ; feet 

 and claws very large and powerful. 



To a casual observer these birds look like the hens of some 

 species of Pheasant. They are known among the Malays by 

 the name of " Burang salantung.^' 



TuRNix PLUMBiPEs, Temm. The Black-breasted Bustard- 

 Quail. 



For some time I put down this Bustard-Quail as Sykes^s 

 T. taigoor; but apparently it is distinct from that species. 



It is very plentiful throughout Western Malay ana ; but I 

 rarely found more than two or three together ; in fact^ 1 gene- 

 rally flushed them singly, and, as a rule, on ground covered 

 with scrub or long grass. Li :e all the Quails, they are very 

 diflicult to put up, trusting to their legs more than their wings. 



In my note-book I have written as follows : — 



" Kwala Kangsar, Perak, 8th June, 1877. Today I shot 

 a female specimen of the Malayan Turnix, almost identical 

 with T. taigoor of Sykes : my bird measures 6 j inches ; irides 

 yellowish white ; bill and legs bluish lead-colour ; it has but 

 three toes ; throat and upper part of breast black ; under- 

 parts and the wings rufous brown, barred on the wings and 

 lower part of the breast with black ; head and neck freckled 

 with black and white spots ; claws white ; weight slightly 

 over 2 oz. 



'' When walking through the jungle I often flush these 

 Quail. Small open patches appear to be their favourite re- 

 sorts ; and I very seldom find them in the paddy-fields, where 

 the little Excalfactoi'ia chinensis swarms.'^ 



Among the " lalang " grass round the barracks at Singa- 

 pore, Bustard-Quail were very common, breeding during May, 

 June, and July. 



On 1st July I found a brood of five young ones running 

 about with their mother among the flower-beds in the Botani- 

 cal Gardens, and on 24th August disturbed a family of them 

 in the long grass close outside our mess ; they could not fly 

 more than a few yards at a time, so were easily caught. 



One I carefully examined, though fullv feathered, could 



