262 Lloyd's natural history. 



" One curious feature noticed with a nestling, which had 

 been upset into the river, was its power of rapid swimming 

 and diving, when pursued. As soon as the hand was placed 

 close to it, it rapidly dived into the dark water, in which it was 

 impossible to see it, and would rise at distances of more than 

 a yard away. Owing to this power the little creature managed 

 to evade all my attempts to seize it, taking a refuge eventually 

 far under the bushy growth, where it was impossible to pursue 

 it. The prolonged immersion which a nestling will thus 

 instinctively and voluntarily undergo, or which an adult bird 

 will bear in an attempt to drown it, seems to me quite remark- 

 able." 



Nest. — Described above. 



Eggs. — Two appears to be the general number laid, or, in 

 some cases, three. As many as six are recorded in a single 

 instance, probably the result of two birds laying in the same 

 nest. Oval in shape, and remarkably like those of the Com- 

 mon Corn-crake. Ground colour pale buff or stone colour, 

 marked with pale cloudy violet undermarkings and reddish- 

 brown surface spots. Average: measurements. i'8 by i'3 

 inch. 



THREE-TOED QUAILS AND PLAIN-WANDERERS. 

 ORDER HEMIPODIL 



The small Quail-like birds comprising this Order occupy a 

 somewhat isolated position, and are not really very closely 

 allied to the Gallinaceous birds, tliough, perhaps, nearer to them 

 than to any other group. Some of their characteristics show a 

 marked affinity to the Rails, and on the whole the most natural 

 position for the Hemipodii appears to be one between these 

 two great Orders of birds. 



Among the important skeletal characters may be noted the 

 following : — 



