THREE-TOED OR BUSTARD-QUAILS. 273 
hard-pressed, lie so close as almost to allow themselves to be 
trodden on before they take wing, after which it is really 
impossible to flush them a second time. ‘They feed on insects 
and seeds.” 
Mr. Ayres says that this species is scarce in the Transvaal and 
inhabits the open veldt. It is solitary in its habits, and is sel- 
dom if ever found on the corn lands with the common Quail. 
He never met with more than two together. 
Eggs.—Like those of Z: sy/vatica, but smaller, and the mark- 
ings finer and closer. Measurements, 0°88 by 0°72 inch. 
VI. THE LITTLE BUSTARD-QUAIL. TURNIX DUSSUMIERI. 
FHemipodius dussumiert, Temm. Pl. Col. v. pl. 454, fig. 2 (1828). 
Hemipodius sykest, Smith, Ill. Zool. S. Afr. ii. (see H. lepurana, 
pl. 16, footnote) (1838). 
Lurnix dussumtert, Gould, B. Asia, vii. pl. 20 (1869); Hume 
& Marshall, Game Birds of India, ii. p. 193, pl. (1879) ; 
Oates, ed. Hume’s Nests and Eggs Ind. B. iii. p. 371 
(1890) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 540 
(1893). 
Adult Male and Female——Shoulder-feathers margined with 
golden buff or straw-colour ; feathers of the sides of the breast 
buff, each with a black or black and rufous sfof near the 
extremity ; middle of the breast buff and xot much brighter than 
the sides. The male is generally paler and somewhat smaller 
(wing, 2°7 inches) than the female, in which the measurements 
ares, total length, 5 inches, wing, -2°9);. tail, 1:5; tarsus, 
o'7 5, 
Range.- -India, Pegu, Hainan and Formosa. 
Habits.—This species, also known as the little “ Button 
Quail,” is a comparatively common and widely-distributed 
species, and is to a considerable extent migratory, visiting and 
breeding in the Himalaya and other parts of Northern and 
Western India, where it is not seen except during the breeding- 
season. 
12 T 
