I9 8 THE LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL. 



Mates.— Length, 5*2 to 5-4 ; expanse, 9*5 to 10*5 ; wing, 276 

 to 2*9; tail from vent, 1*25 to 1*35 ; tarsus, 07 to 072; bill 

 from gape, 0*5 to 0*55 ; weight, ri ozs to 1*4 ozs. 



Females. — Length, 5*4 to 57; expanse, 98 to 107; wing, 

 2-8 to 3*0 ; tail from vent, 1*3 to 1*5 ; tarsus, 07 to 075 ; bill 

 from gape, 0*51 to 0*56 ; weight, 1*25 to 1*5 ozs. 



These measurements, taken from only six birds, and two of 

 these, I suspect, not quite adults, probably do not adequately 

 represent the limits within which the dimensions of this species 

 vary. 



The legs and feet vary from pale fleshy white to light lead 

 colour ; the bills from leaden white to lavender or plumbeous ; 

 the irides are light yellow to straw white. 



THE PLATE very fairly represent the specimens figured. The 

 figure in the background to the right is a very accurate likeness 

 of a young bird. The figures in the foreground both represent 

 females. In the males there is scarcely any rufous in the plumage, 

 this being replaced by a slightly rufescent brown ; indeed, the 

 males are altogether somewhat duller coloured than the females. 

 The two adult females figured happen to be particularly 

 brightly coloured specimens, and the central bird has a number of 

 bright rufous splashes on the side of the breast which are 

 rarely so much developed. It is a pity that no front view 

 of the bird is given. The chin and throat are pure white ; the 

 middle of the breast slightly rusty buff, the sides of the breast 

 very pale buff, with two or three rows of nearly round blackish 

 brown spots. 



