178 THE ANIMxVLS OF NEW ZEALAND 



The quail had a humble and lowly nest, consisting of a few 

 bents of grass twisted into a depression of the ground. The 

 female laid large numbers of eggs, and it is stated that as many 

 as a dozen have been found in one nest. The birds were often 

 observed taking a dust-bath in the sun. When flushed, they flew 

 straight and low. 



It is generally believed that this bird is extinct, but it is quite 

 possible that it may still be found on some flats and plains that 

 civilization has not reached. 



Order Rallipormes. 



Bill rather long and always hard at the tip. Wings moderate 

 or short, rounded. Toes long, the hind toe slightly raised ; the 

 claws short. 



Family BalUdae. 



Nostrils in a pierced horny sheath. Toes very slender and 

 long. 



Key io the Genera. 



1. Bill longer than the middle toe and claw. 2 

 Bill shorter than the middle toe and claw. 3 



2. Bill nearly straight. Hypotsenidia. 

 Bill curved. Cabalas. 



3. No frontal shields. 4 

 A frontal shield. 6 



4. Wing coverts almost reaching tips of quills. 5 

 Wing coverts not nearly reaching tips of quills. Porzana. 



5. Quills soft. Ocydromus. 

 Quills firm. Nesolimnas. 



6. Secondaries much shorter than primaries. Poriahyrio. 

 Secondaries nearly as long as primaries. Notornis. 



Genus Hypofacnidia. 



Bill longer than the head. AVings short, second and third quills 

 the longest. Tail short. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe; 

 hind toe short. Southern Asia to Australia and Polynesia. 



Key to the Species. 



1. Breast rufous. H. muelleri. 

 Breast barred with black and white. 2 



2. Back spotted with white. H. philippensis. 

 Back not spotted. H. macquariensis. 



