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The Japanese form (Ooturnix 

 japonica) is also sometimes found in 

 the Yangtse Valley. lb can scarcely 

 be considered more than a sub-species; 

 it differs from the common quail in 

 having lanceolate feathers on the 

 throat and upper neck. 



BAMBOO PARTEIDGE. (BAMBOO 

 CHICKEN). 



BAMBUSICOLA THORACICA (tEMM). 



Description. — Length 11 inches. 

 Upper parts olive brown, spotted vpith 

 reddish and darker brown, and mixed 

 with white, feathers vermiculated. 

 Throat rusty red. Large grey band 

 across the breast and abdomen followed 

 by one of rusty red. Rest of under 

 parts buff spotted with black in front. 

 Flanks marked with large blackish 

 spots. Eyebrow stripe grey. 



The young are very similar, but lack 

 grey markings. 



Distribution. — South and Central 

 China, not passing north of the Yangtse 

 River. Resident in the thickets 

 among the hills up to 2,000 feet. 



Nest and Eggs.--The nest is generally 

 placed under a bunch of thick grass 

 or a dense, small shrub. The eggs 

 usually number from 7 to 12 in a 

 clutch and are creamy brown in color. 



Notes. — This bird is found chiefly in 

 dense thickets and jungles and usually 

 roosts in a tree. Except during the 

 breeding season, when they live in 

 couples, they are met with in small 

 coveys, making a tremendous com- 

 motion when they are flushed. 



In many respects they resemble the 

 American Bob- white (Colinus) both in 

 habits and appearance, though they 



