on the Breeding of Turnix Varia. 297


doubtful as to whether it has been kept before by private

aviculturists. The two birds arrived in good condition, though

somewhat rough in plumage, and were put into my warm aviary,

being allowed to run out on to a small grassed run on fine da3 r s.

They soon became quite tame and would run to me for meal¬

worms, of which they are particularly fond. If they became

separated the female would call to her mate with the low booming

sound characteristic of the Hemipodes, but there was nothing

particularly interesting to note during the first few weeks after

arrival. Early in May, however, the booming note of the female

was heard frequently, and my diary contains the following note

for May 12th: “Noticed the female T, varia display to the male

by running backwards and forwards in front of him with tail

erect and crop puffed out like a pouter pigeon ; and discovered a

neat round hole, evidently intended for a nest, formed in some

hay and moss behind a few sticks in corner of aviary.” O11 the

13th and 14th the female spent a good deal of time in the nest,

often twisting round on her breast with tail erect, and with her

bill pulling bits of hay around her and over her back to form a

dome. While on the nest she constantly uttered faint crooning

notes if the male was near, and if he went away to any distance

she immediately commenced to utter her booming call note.


About this time a very interesting habit, which appears to

be common to all of the Turnices, was first noticed, namely that

of the female calling the male to feed. It is well known that in

the true Game-birds the male, during the pairing season, when

he discovers a dainty grub or other tit-bit, holds it in his bill,

and, with a peculiar clucking note, calls his mate and presents

it to her. With the Turnices this habit is also indulged in, but

with the sexes reversed, the female, which is the larger and more

brilliantly-coloured bird, offering any specially dainty delicacy to

the male. A photograph, illustrating this habit was secured

which, although not suitable for reproduction, has enabled our

artist to prepare the plate which illustrates this paper.


My diary contains the following note for May 17th : “ The

female constantly ‘ booming ’ and displaying to her mate, the

display, as a rule, being performed thus: the male squats

amongst the grass, and the female runs round him in a circle



