The Importance of Aviculture. 



671 



the larger and more handsome Turnix varia of Australia. I 

 secured a pair of these in March last. The following is 

 their history up to date : — 



About May 6th the female commenced to utter her cooing 

 or booming note frequently. On May 12th I first noticed 

 her display to the male by running backwards and forwards 

 before him, with tail erected and crop puffed out like that of 

 a Pouter Pigeon. The same day I discovered a neat round 

 nest formed in the middle of some hay and moss that had 

 been placed behind some sticks in a corner of the aviary. 

 On the 13th and 14th the female spent a considerable time 

 in the nest, often twisting round on her breast with tail erect, 

 and continually pulling bits of hay around her and over her 

 head to form a dome over the nest. While on the nest she 

 was continually uttering low crooning sounds while the male 

 was near, or if he went away she would immediately com- 

 mence her " booming " call-note. On this day I noticed that 

 the female frequently picked up morsels of food which she 

 presented to the male after calling him with a faint clucking" 

 sound, in the same way as a rooster calls his hens. 



On May 17th the female was constantly booming, and 



Female Turnix varia booming. 



frequently displaying to the male. The display was generally 

 performed thus : the male squats on the ground amongst 

 short grass, and the female runs round him in a circle with 



