BLACK-BREASTED QUAIL. 103 



Although it thus moves about, according to the seasons, from one 

 part of the country to another, it is not strictly a migratory bird, 

 and will occasionally be found in suitable spots where there is grass 

 or good cover, at all seasons. It is frequently found in pairs, now 

 and then in bevies, which however, do not generally rise at once 

 like the Bush-quail. Though not the special object of the sports- 

 man's attention, several of this Quail are frequently shot, along 

 with the large ones. Throughout considerable part of Bengal, 

 this bird does not appear to occur, or at all events to be plentiful 

 during the rains, and as it is the most moist and grassy part of 

 the country, probably many of the birds that disperse over the 

 country during the rains, find shelter and- food there in the hot 

 weather. Both this and the Grey-quail are very partial to the 

 grains of Cheenee, a small Millet cultivated extensively in Bengal 

 during the hot weather and rains. 



Tliis Quail lays, from six to eight eggs generally, of a creamy 

 pink colour, with a few brownish spots, in a tuft of grass, in June 

 and July. 



The Rain-quail extends to Assam, Sylhet, and upper Burmah. 

 I found it abundant at Thayet Myo, in May and June. 



Several other true Quails are found in Australia, New Zealand, 

 and some of the most Eastern Islands of Malayana, viz., C. 

 Novcb Zealandice, Q. and G. ; C pectoralis, Gould ; and 

 C. Realteni, S. M tiller. 0. histrionica, Haiti., is, perhaps, an 

 Excalfactoria. 



The genus Synoicus, Gould, comprises some large-sized Quails 

 peculiar to Australia, and there termed Partridges. 



Gen. Excalfactoria, Bonaparte. 



Char. — Very similar to Coturnix ; wings less pointed and more 

 rounded ; 1st quill shorter than the 2nd ; 3rd, 4th and 5th, gra- 

 duating very slightly from the 2nd. Of small size, and rich 

 plumage. Sexes differ much in plumage. 



I should not have adopted this genus, had not Gould and other 

 modern Ornithologists done so, for it differs but little from true 

 Coturnix. It has a more limited geographic range, one species 

 occurring in India, but none in Central or Western Asia, nor 



