PLATE 



LIII. 



GENUS EXCALFATORIA (Bonaparte). 



IX China, India, Africa, the Indian Islands, and Australia are to be found three or four species of 

 tin's genus. 



EXCALFATORIA AUSTRAL1S (Gould). 



LEAST SWAMP QUAIL. Genus : Excalfatoria. 



THIS species was distinguished by Gould from the old Perdix Chinensis of earlier authors, for lie 

 was satisfied that several species of the form existed, and not one only as previously supposed. 



The habits of this tiny representative of the GallinaccB are not fully known : it is found in 

 large numbers at certain seasons, frequenting swampy ground where the vegetation is luxuriant, but no 

 observations have as yet furnished any authentic record of its history. 



The colouring of the upper surfaces of the male is a deep rich brown ; the wing feathers 

 have a lighter margin, and most of the back feathers a light brown stripe down the centre : the sides 

 of the head and the breast are a rich blue-grey ; the throat is black, with bold white markings, and 

 the abdomen is a deep chestnut ; the bill is almost black, and the feet a yellowish-pink. 



The general colour of the female is a lighter brown ; the under-surface is buff, and the 

 distinctive throat-markings of the male are absent. 



Length, 4^ inches; bill, 7 / 16 inch; wing, 2| inches; tarsi, ^ inch. 



Habitats : New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland. 



FAMILY TURNICID^E. 



REPRESENTATIVES of this family bear a marked resemblance to the Quails and Partridges, 

 though not really allied to them. In many of their habits they resemble the Plover, while 

 they must still be classed with the GallinaccB. 



GENUS TURN IX (Bonnaterre). 



MEMBERS of this genus are found all over Australia, as well as in many of the adjacent islands, 

 and are to be met with, though perhaps not so commonly, in Africa, Europe, and India. Their 

 eggs are always four in number, narrow and sharply pointed, and the nest is simple in construction, 

 consisting of only a few straws placed in a sheltered hollow. They frequent widely different kinds of 

 country, from large grassy plains to stony scrubby ridges. 



