THREE-TOED OR BUSTARD-QUAILS. 287 
“The young run as soon as they are hatched, and their 
appearance then assimilates so closely to that of the young 
Partridges and Quails that they can scarcely be distinguished. 
“The food of this species consists of insects, grain, and 
berries ; of the former many kinds are eaten, but locusts and 
grasshoppers form the principal part ; a considerable quantity 
of sand is also found in the gizzard, which is very thick and 
muscular.” 
Nest.—A slight cavity, lined with dried grasses, close to a tuft 
of grass. 
Eggs.—F our in number ; wide ovals, slightly pointed at the 
smaller end, and marked much as in the other species, but the 
markings are generally very fine. Average measurement, 1°12 
by 0°88 inch. 
XX. THE CHESTNUT-BACKED BUSTARD-QUAIL. TURNIX 
CASTANONOTA. 
Hemipodius castanotus, Gould, P. Z. 8. 1839, p. 145; id. B. 
Austr. v. pl. 85 (1848). 
Turnix castanonota, Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 
552 (1893). 
Adult Male.—Like the adult female, but somewhat smailer. 
Adult Female.—General colour above uwxiform dull light red, 
most of the feathers of the upper back with black and white 
edges, with some black blotches; wing-coverts ornamented 
with black and white ocelli ; eyebrow-stripes and sides of the 
face white, tipped with black ; chin and throat white; chest and 
breast gvey, with white shaft-stripes; sides light red with 
irregular white black-edged ocelli ; rest of under-parts whitish- 
buff. Bill very stout. Total length, 6 inches; wing, 3°6; 
tail, 1°5.; tarsus, 0°9. | 
Range.—Northern Australia. 
Habits.— Mr. Gilbert says :—‘This species inhabits the sides of 
