THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION. 563 



in the Mozufferpore District, large numbers of quail are shot during the season. 

 A continual fusillade goes on during the -whole shoot, and the guns get quite 

 hot. Native name Batair, 



(199) G, COEOMANDELICA, — The Eain Quail. 

 Blanford, No. 1356, Hume, No, 830. 

 I have never got this species, but they probably occur, as Blanford says they 

 visit Behar during the monsoon. 



(200) Fkancolinus vulgaeis, — The Black Partridge, 

 Blanford, No. 1372. Hume, No. 818. 

 Scarce round Jainagar, and never seen either round Narhar or Baghownie. 

 It is curious their not being found here, as they are not scarce in the indigo at 

 Eatauri, and are also to be had near most of the neighbouring factories. 

 Scroope wrote that they were common in the Khatauna jungle. I have been- 

 unsuccessful in getting their eggs. Native name Kala-titir. 



(201) F. PONDiGERiANns, — The Grey Partridge, 

 Blanford, No. 1375. Hume, No. 822. 

 I have found it commoner than vulgaris, but have not come across their 

 eggs. Some are generally to be found wherever there is any fairly thick 

 scrub jungle, such as occurs along the Nepal boundary near Jainagar. I have 

 also flushed it from a big grass. The flesh of both species I have found to be 

 dry and tasteless. 



Order— HEMIPODII, 

 Family Turnicidce,. 

 (202) Tdenix pdgnax. — The Bustard-Quail. 

 Blanford, No, 1382, Hume, No. 832. 

 Blanford says that this species is found all over India except on the higher- 

 hills, in dense forests, and in deserts, I have never, however, come across it here, 

 neither have any of the many fowlers who come here ever seen it. I may 

 state that we have no hills, deserts or forests here. 



(203) T. dussumieri.— The Little Button-Quail. 

 Blanford, No. 1383, Hume, No. 835. 

 Button-quail are common, but I cannot say which species is most abundant,, 

 having handled too few specimens. 



(204) T. tan ki,— The Indian Button-Quail. 

 Blanford, No. 1384. Hume, No. 834. 

 An egg belonging to a Turnix was brought me, but I am not certain to 

 which species to assign it. Button-quail are seldom shot and scarcely 

 ever snared. The coolies have several times caught them in their hands, as 

 when frightened they prefer crouching on the ground to taking flight. I 

 have a couple of C, communis and three button-quails in my aviary, which are 

 so tame that the man has to shunt them out of the way when he wants tO' 

 clean the portion of the floor on which they are seated. 



{To he continued.) 



