TO! nWDNi iiffii Still. 



Turnix albiventris, Hume. 



VemaCUlar ITamOlS.— [Mool (Nicobarese) Camorta. 3 



( E only actually observed this Quail in the islands of 

 Bompoka, Camorta, and Tiressa, but it doubtless 

 occurs throughout the group where grass-covered 

 uplands and hills exist. 



We also obtained it both near Port Blair and near 

 Port Mouat of the South Andaman ; but in the 

 Andamans there is but little grass, dense forests 

 occupying almost the entire surface where this has not been 

 cleared for cultivation, and there are few localities in these 

 islands suitable to its tastes. 



I believe its home to be in the Nicobars, and I look upon it 

 as a mere emigrant to the Andamans. 



It has not been procured as yet outside these two groups of 

 islands, but it may yet prove to occur in North-Western 

 Sumatra. 



It appears, now that we have a good series, to be a well-marked 

 species, closely allied indeed to some of the insular forms 

 described of late years from further east, but distinct from all. 



There IS very little to be said of its habits, which appear to 

 resemble closely those of the Indian and Little Button Quails. 

 It is never found in forest, only in the open grassy uplands 

 which constitute the distinctive character of the scenery of the 

 Nicobars, or in gardens or cultivation surrounded by, or adjacent 

 to, these. 



They are generally found singly, never in coveys (unless 

 perhaps whilst the broods are very young) ; they rise without 

 much whirr and very reluctantly, and drop again into the grass 

 very speedily. 



No one appears ever to have noticed their call. 



The specimens examined proved to have fed entirely on small 

 seeds. 



Long ago Davison said : — 



" This Quail is very rare at the Andamans, where I only once 

 saw it and obtained one very indifferent specimen ; but at the 



