286 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
with irregular white black-edged spots ; eyebrow-stripes, sides of 
face and throat white, tipped with black, the chin and middle 
of throat white ; feathers of the chest grey, with a spatulate buff 
shaft-stripe ; breast buff, mixed with grey; belly pale buff; bill 
fairly ‘stout. Total length, 7°6 inches; wing, 4°2'; tail" aan 
tarsus, 0.9. 
Range.— Australia. Recorded from New Caledonia, but the 
‘ bird from this island may prove to be distinct. 
Habits—Mr. Gould says :—‘‘ Among the Game Birds of Aus- 
tralia, the Varied Turnix plays a rather prominent part, for 
although its flesh is not so good for the table as that of the little 
Partridge and Quail (Syzorcus australis and Coturnix pectorals), 
it is a bird which is not to be despised when the game-bag is emp- 
tied at the end of a day’s sport, for it forms an acceptable variety 
to its contents. Although it does not actually associate with 
either of the birds mentioned above, it is often found in the 
same districts; and all three species may be procured in the 
course of a morning’s walk in many parts of New South Wales, 
Victoria, and South Australia, where it frequents sterile stony 
ridges, interspersed with scrubby trees and moderately thick 
grass. 
“Tt is also very common in all parts of Tasmania suitable to 
its habits, hills of moderate elevation and of a dry stony 
character being the localities preferred ; it is also numerous on 
the sandy and sterile islands in Bass’s Straits. 
“Tt runs very quickly, and when flushed flies low, its pointed 
wings giving it much the appearance of a Snipe or Sandpiper. 
When running or walking over the ground, the neck is 
stretched out and the head carried very high, which, together 
with the rounded contour of the back, give it a very 
grotesque appearance. The breeding-season commences in 
August or September, and terminates 1 January, during which 
period at least two broods are reared. 
“The note is a loud and plaintive sound, which is often 
repeated, particularly during the pairing-season. 
