GAME-BIRDS. 29 
In the Quails (Coturniz) (185-187), of which seven different kinds are 
known, we find the most highly-developed type of Partridge-wing, the 
first flight-feather being slightly shorter or equal in length to the 
second (see wing exhibited). All the species are more or less migratory, 
their movements being regulated by the changes of season, but the 
Common Quail (C. coturniz) (135) is by far the greatest wanderer of 
all. Though small numbers of this bird are resident and remain 
throughout the year in suitable localities, the majority travel thousands 
of miles every year, countless numbers going northwards in spring to 
breed, and returning south to their winter-quarters in the autumn. 
The Black-breasted or Rain-Quail (C. coromandelica) (181) is peculiar 
to India and the countries to the east of the Bay of Bengal, migrating 
durimg the monsoon (rainy season) from the damp low-lying districts to 
the drier parts of Upper and Western India. The closely allied New 
Zealand Quail (C. nove zealandie), though a common bird in the early 
days of the Colony, is now doubtless quite extinct. Askin of this bird, 
and that a female, recently sold for £75. 
The Swamp-Quails (Synecus) (138, 139) are very closely allied to the 
Common Quail and its allies. Van Raalten’s Swamp-Quail (189) 
inhabits the islands of Timor and Flores, and is the handsomest of 
the three species known. 
The smallest of all the Game-Birds are the Painted Quails (Ewca/- 
factoria) (140, 141). Only four tiny forms are known, the males 
having the plumage very beautifully coloured. As in the other Quails, 
the first and second quill-feathers are the longest, and the flight is 
extremely rapid. These little birds are remarkable in possessing only 
eight very short tail-feathers, or two less than any other bird of the 
group. The common Painted Quail (140) is plentiful enough through- 
out the Indo-Chinese couutries, being chiefly found in open, swampy 
grass-lands and meadows. Of recent years it has frequently been kept 
in confinement in this country and breeds freely : the young, when about 
a week old and scarcely larger than walnuts, are able to fly, and 
when about six weeks old they are scarcely distinguishable in plumage 
from their parents. 
In the Crested Wood-Partridge (Rollulus) (142), of which only one 
species is known, the male has a beautiful hairy crest, and both sexes 
possess a tuft of long hair-like bristles on the forehead. The grass- 
green plumage of the female is very remarkable, this colour being 
almost unknown among Game-Birds, and only found elsewhere in the 
Blood-Pheasants ([thagenes). 
The Tree-Partridges (Arboricola) (148, 144), of which fifteen species 
are known, inhabit the Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan countries and 
some of the adjacent islands. All the birds of this genus are peculiar 
[Case 15.] 
[Case 15.] 
[Case 15. ] 
[Case 15.] 
