426 TETRAONEm 



It appeared to give preference to the low stony ridges 

 which border and intersect these flats, and which are thinly 

 covered with grasses of various kinds, for it was in such 

 situations I generally found it, though on some occasions 

 I started it from among the rank herbage clothing the 

 alluvial soil of the bottoms. It lies so close as to be 

 nearly trodden upon before it will rise, and when flushed 

 it flies off with such extreme rapidity, as, combined with 

 its small size, and the intervention of trees, to render it a 

 most difficult shot to the sportsman. On rising it flies to 

 the distance of one or two hundred yards, within two or 

 three feet of the surface, and then suddenly pitches to the 

 ground. As might be expected, it lies well to a pointer, 

 and it was by this means that I found many which I could 

 not otherwise have started. 



" One of the most singular circumstances connected with 

 this species (and the other two) is the great difference in 

 the size of the sexes, the males being but little more than 

 half the size of their mates. Pleased as I was at making 

 acquaintance with this little bird, I was still more gratified 

 at finding its nest and eggs. Natty and Jemmy, two in- 

 telligent and faithful natives, of the Yarrundi tribe, and 

 who always accompanied me, also caught several of the 

 young which had not left the nest many days. This 

 species was found to have a wide range in New Holland ; 

 the eggs four in number, the nest on the ground, under 

 shelter of a small tuft of grass." 



To return to our British-killed bird : I have again to 

 record my thanks to Mr. Goatley for most kindly allowing 

 his interesting specimen to be drawn from and engraved for 

 this work. 



The point of the beak is light brown, the base pale wood 

 brown ; irides hazel ; top of the head dark brown, with a 

 lighter brown streak in the middle, passing backwards ; 



