GENUS SYNOICUS (Gould). 



VLMOST every pari of Australia and Tasmania is inhabited by some member of this genus, and 

 - the infinite variety of colouring of the various species renders it very difficult to identify them. 

 AJthough usually classed in Australia as Quails, they resemble much more closely the Common 

 Partridge in their habits and economy. They fly in small coveys, and furnish good sport, rising well 

 to the pointer. 



SYNOICUS AUSTKALIS. 



SWAMP QUAIL. Genus: Synoicus. 



rill IIS variety, even more than its allied species, resembles the Partridge, so keenly sought by sportsmen 

 J- in Great Britain. It has a very similar call, lies close, often until almost trodden upon, and, as 

 a table bird, has almost as tine a flavour as the British variety. It differs from the Partridge chiefly 

 in size, averaging about four ounces and a-half to four ounces and three-quarters. It is found all 

 over New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and in parts of Queensland, the localities frequented 

 by it being the thick grassy flats surrounding lagoons and water-holes. The coveys average from ten 

 to twenty, which rise all together, with the whirr of the Partridge, usually covering less than two 

 hundred yards before alighting. 



The eggs are large, and ten to eighteen are generally found in one nest. The colour varies, 

 being sometimes of a faint blue, sometimes speckled with light brown. The nest is laid on the 

 ground, and simply constructed of grass. 



In colour, the head and throat have a tinge of blue-grey. The upper surfaces have more 

 accentuated markings of black than in the Pectoral Quail, each feather having the fine white mark 

 down the centre, while the shoulders are of a chestnut shade. The primaries are light brown, 

 with irregular deep-brown markings on the tips. The under-surface is a yellowish grey, with bold 

 zig-zag markings of almost black ; the bill is blue, with a black tip ; the irides orange ; and the feet 

 yellow. 



Habitats : Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and parts of Queensland. 



