202 On Breeding Turnix nigricollis in German Bird-rooms.


The development of the young proceeds with just as rapid

grades as in the little Quails : even after two days they run quite

as quickly as a small mouse, and now and again preen their

sprouting feathers. In the second week the young plumage is

already clearly visible, the wings and tail are half grown. The

young hen has now acquired even the carriage and walk of the

old bird, begins to strike and swagger, frequently stoops and

conceals itself when there is an unfamiliar noise. At the com¬

pletion of the third week it is full-feathered, more frequently

tests its power of flight, and would be able if necessary to make

its way in the world alone. In the fourth week the young

appear to separate from the old, since the cock chased the young

one whenever he caught sight of it, whereat the latter loudly

crying glicklicklick easily and adroitly flew upwards : it was not

hunted by the female. In size it was little behind the old birds.


I now took it out and placed it in a cage, wherein it soon

made itself at home and also became confiding; only when being

fed it still dashed itself nervously about.”


Mr. Langheinz also says that the young require a good

deal of warmth, “ so that they regularly burrow deep in moss

and soft hay. Even in the fifth week the old male took them

under his wings. At the end of the fourth week they extended

their attempts at flight as far as the ceiling of the bird-room.”


Immediately after leaving the egg the young bird is

covered with thick fluffy little feathers.


Downy plumage :—Top of head and nape deep brown-

yellowisli ; on the middle of the crown is a narrow whitish

longitudinal stripe ; a similar one on each side of the forehead

above the eye to below the nape ; a black stripe from the middle

of the base of the upper mandible over the forehead and front of

the head to the middle of the crown ; region of the eyes and ears

whitish ; chin, gorget, and front of neck clear mouse-grey ; rest

of under surface fawn-brownish-grey; middle of back broadly

rust brownish, enclosed by black stripes and after these whitish

stripes ; sides of the back clear brownish-fawn-yellowisli-grey

with blackish spots ; wings hare-coloured ; shoulders, lower arm

and central bones of hand darker, more rust-brownish. Under¬

side of wing fawn grey ; upper and lower shanks above with



