6 Catalogue of the Birds [July 



female has been well described l>y Colonel Sykes. The natives generally 

 consider this bird as more allied to the jungle fowls than to the 

 partridges, and it is said to run with its tail elevated. 



Bill, naked skin round eye, and legs red. Length 11-15 inches; of 

 which the tail is about 5. 



Sub-Genus COTURNIX, Briss.— Quails. 



275.— C. Dactylisonans.—Ghaghus, 11.- Large grey Quail or Deccany 

 Quail. 



The quail of Europe is by no means common in most parts of the 

 peninsula, and certainly appears in greatest abundance during the cold 

 weather, though according to Sykes and others, it remains and breeds 

 here during the monsoon. It is found generally in long grass by the 

 sides of rivers, tanks, and nullahs, or among the grain-fields, aud gene- 

 rally in pairs. 



Length 7.V to 8 inches. Average weight about 4* oz. ; bill dusky 

 brown ; hides light brown ; legs flesh-coloured. 



276.— C. TextiUs, Temm.—Perd. Coromandelica, Lath.— P. alivacca, 

 huch.— Batteir, EL— Black breasted Quail.— Rain quail of some. 



This pretty little species is very common in most of the well culti- 

 vated districts of India, frequenting the fields in bevies, and also patches 



of grass in various situations, and low jungle. It breeds during the mon- 

 soon ; many natives consider it as the male of the last. Irides reddish 

 brown ; bill horny brown. 



Length 6— GJ inches ; weight about 2J oz. 



•277.— C. argoondah, Sykes.— Perd. Cambayensis, Auct. 'f—Lowalt, IT. 

 — Rock Quail— Bush Quail of some. 



The common rock quail is exceedingly abundant in every part of India, 

 frequenting busliy aud stony ground, and also the neighbouring grain- 

 fields in considerable bevies. It is much used by the natives for fighting, 

 which it does with great spirit and obstinacy. 



Irides reddish brown : bill dusky blackish ; legs red. Length G— 6 \ 

 % inches. , 



/htf^ ***~^ &?'S ?z4l 



■27s. C. Perd. rubiginosa, Valenc.— Geerzah, II. — 



Forest qhiiii. 



I fully agree with Col. Sykes in separating this species from the last, 

 from my own observations, its different habitat, and the testimony 

 of all the quail fane . lUthern India, who will at once point out a 



