586 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



sal distribution throughout the Old World, but culminating in 

 Australia and Eastern Malayana. 



The true Quails are not always kept distinct from the Part- 

 ridges, but their longer and more pointed wings, great powers 

 of flight, and migratory habits of some, together with their 

 distribution, point them out as a separate group. They are 

 the most widely distributed division of Rasores, being found 

 throughout the whole old continent, as far as New Zealand. One 

 genus is peculiar to Australia and neighbouring islands ; and there 

 are two others differing very slightly from each other which have 

 a still wider distribution. 



Gen. Coturnix, Brisson. 



Char. — Bill somewhat slender, straight, or slightly curved ; tarsi 

 without spurs ; tail very short, rounded and soft, concealed by the 

 upper tail-coverts ; wings lengthened and pointed, the 1st and 

 2nd quills longest. 



This genus is most numerous in species in the Southern regions of 

 Asia ; one species only, the common Quail, being found throughout 

 the greater part of Asia, Europe and Africa. 



829. Coturnix communis, Bonaterre. 



Blyth, Cat. 1521 — C. dactylisonans, Temminck — Sykes, Cat. 

 153 — Jerdon, Cat. 275 — Gould, Birds of Europe pi. 26o — 

 C. indicus, Hodgson — Baiter or barra hatter, H. — Ghagas batter 

 H. of Falconers — Gogari yellicM, Tel. — Peria kadeh, Tarn. — Loioa, 

 Mahr. (according to Sykes) — The European Quail. 



The Large Grey Quail. 



Descr. — Male,, head brown, with pale edging to the feathers, 

 and a central pale line ; eyebrows, cheeks, and lores whitish, with 

 the ear-coverts partially brown ; the upper plumage brown, 

 each feather of the back, scapulars, rump and tail having on one 

 side of the pale yellow shaft a fine black patch, and some pale 

 cross strice ; wing-coverts greyish-brown, with narrow streaks 

 and bars of pale yellowish, black bordered ; primaries dark brown, 

 with pale rufous spots and bars on the outer webs ; beneath, the 

 chin is dull white ; the throat rufous brown, with a double blackish 



