EASORES. 11)3 



Sp. 487. SYNOiClJS AUSTRALIS. 



Swamp-Quail. 



Perdix australis, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. Ixii. 



Coturnix australis, Temm. Pig. et Gall. 8vo, tom.iii. pp. 474 and 740. 

 New Holland Quail, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 283. 

 Moo-reete, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 

 Brown Quail, Colonists of Swan River and Tasmania. 



Synoicus australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. v. pi. 89. 



Although this bird and its allies are ordinarily known in 

 Australia under the trivial name of Quails {Cottirnix), they 

 are really more nearly allied to the Common Partridge 

 {Perdix cinereci) of the British Islands, so renowned for 

 tlie goodness of its flesh, and for the healthy pastime it an- 

 nually affords to all who follow the sports of the field. 

 Although much more diminutive in size, the Australian bird 

 offers in many points of its economy a great similarity to its 

 antipodean ally. The Synoicus australis is distributed over 

 the whole of New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasma- 

 nia, the localities most suited to its habits being thick grassy 

 flats and humid spots overgrown with herbage, by the sides 

 of rivers and water-holes. Its call is very similar to that of 

 the Common Partridge, and like that bird it is found in coveys 

 of from ten to eighteen in number, which simultaneously rise 

 from the ground and pitch again within a hundred yards of 

 the spot whence they rose. It sits so close, that it will often 

 admit of being nearly trodden upon before it will rise. Pointers 

 stand readily to it, and it offers perhaps better sport to the 

 sportsman than any other bird inhabiting Australia. Its 

 weight is about four ounces and three quarters, and its flesh 

 is delicious. 



The Swamp-Quail breeds on the ground, where it con- 

 structs a slight nest of grass and leaves ; the eggs, which are 

 of large size, and from ten to eighteen in number, arc some- 



VOL. II. o 



