TURN I X PYRKHOTHORAX. 



RED-CHESTED TURNIX. Genus: Turnix. 



/ VBSERVATION of this variety has furnished little concerning its history and economy beyond 

 * " establishing the tact of its distinctive colouring, from which its name is derived. In common 

 with other Species of this genus, the female is fully one-third larger than the male, besides showing 

 more strongly-marked and brighter colours, especially on the throat and under surfaces. 



In the male, the back oi the head is brown, with a Lighter streak down the centre; the 

 remaining Upper surface is also brown, with small markings of a darker shade running transversely; the 

 wing-feathers have a broad edging of bull', inside w hich are strong black markings ; the feathers of 

 the throat and shoulders, and round the eye, are tipped with dark brown, making small circular marks 

 on those parts; the colour of the throat, almost white, deepens into a strong red-brown on the chest,, 

 which fades again to white on the abdomen. 



In the female, the markings of the throat and shoulders are more distinct, while the rufous 

 colour of the chest is much deeper than that of the male; in both sexes the bill is a dark bluish, 

 grey, and the feet are yellow. 



Size of the female: Length, 5^ inches; bill, B / 16 inch; wing, 3 inches; tarsi, | inch. 

 Habitat : New South Wales. 



TURNIX VELOX. 



SWIFT-FLYING TURNIX. Genus: Turnix. 



SPECIMEN'S of this variety have been obtained from many parts of Australia — thus it is probable 

 that the species inhabits most parts of the continent suitable to its economy. As the name 

 suggests, it is distinguished from other members of the tribe by its powers of rapid flight; lying often 

 until almost trodden upon, it rises suddenly, and Hies low and straight, but with extraordinary speed, for 

 a tew hundred yards, dropping at last like a stone. It is an excellent bird for sport, and requires a 

 smart shot to bring it down. Sparsely -grassed ridges are its favourite habitation, but it is met with also- 

 on the more richly -grassed fiats and creek-bottoms. Here, again, the ordinary rule is reversed, the 

 female being the larger bird of the two. It is also migratory,- the breeding season being in September 

 and October. As with the foregoing species, the nest is simply constructed. The food consists of seeds 

 and insects. The digestive organs are very powerful, and, when obtainable, grasshoppers and other 

 large insects are consumed. 



The eggs are always four in number. The ground colour is a dull white, closely speckled 

 with faint red markings. They vary somewhat in colour in different localities, some being paler, with 

 smaller and fainter markings. Size of the ego-, eleven lines and a-half long by nine lines broad. 



The upper-surface is a reddish-brown, with sometimes a lighter line down the middle of the 

 head ; the feathers of the back, rump, and wings have a broad margin of buff, inside which are black 

 marking-, less pronounced than in the foregoing species; the primaries are a lighter brown: the throat 

 and chest oi a light sandy-red, which fades into white on the abdomen; the bill is dark grey; the legs 

 and feet a faint yellow. 



Length of the female, 5± inches; bill, ^ inch: wing, 3 inches; tarsi, § inch. 



Habitats : New South Wales. South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia. 



