1840.] 



of tlie Peninsula of India. 



7 



Geerzali among a lot of ' Lowalis\ It is an inhabitant of all the forests 

 of S. India, and also occasional!) and more sparingly found in low jungles, 

 and wooded nullahs in the Carnatic and other regions. It is found at all 

 levels, from the neighbourhood of the sea to the summits of the lofty 

 mountains of the Western Ghauts. The Gcerzah, though also caught 

 and used for fighting, is in less esteem than the Loicah. Irides brown ; 

 bill dusky ; legs reddish yellow. Length 6|~6| inches. 



279. — C civjtlirorliijnc'ha, Sykes.—Koknee LoicaJi, H. — Hed-hilled 

 Quail. — Black quail of the Neilgherries. 



This very handsomely plumaged quail is very abundant on the top of 

 the Neilgherries, frequenting the low brushwood of ihe woods, and occa- 

 sionally entering gardens. As it is mentioned by Colonel Sykes and also 

 by Mr. Elliot, in his Catalogue, it is probably to be found in all the more 

 elevated districts of the Western Ghauts, 



Bill and legs fine red ; irides brown. Length 6^ ; weight about oz. 



280. — C. CJnnensis. — jPerJ. Chinensis, Auct. 



There is an accurate description of this species of quail in Mr. Elliot's 

 notes, taken from a single specimen, shot by a gentleman near Belgaum in 

 the Southern Mahratta Country. 



Fam. TR UTHIONID 

 Gen. OTIS, L. 



281.— O. nigriceps^ Vigors — Gould Cent. Him. Birds.— 6>. Edwardsiiy 

 Gray and Hardw., 111. Ind. Zool, — Tokda?', E..-- Black- headed or Indian 

 Bustard. 



This noble bird is found, I believe, over all the peninsula, except per- 

 haps on the wooded regions of the Western Coast, but more numerous in 

 some localities than in others. Wherever there are extensive plains, 

 whether of long grass or cultivated, this bird is most abundant, more es- 

 pecially on the trap formation of the north-west part of the great table 

 land. The Bustard is frequently seen alone, occasionally 2, 3 or 4 toge- 

 ther, and often flocks of 20 or more are seen feeding in company. Its 

 most favourite food is large locusts and grasshoppers, also the common 

 black and red mylabris, various insects of the genus buprestis, scarabceus 

 and others, caterpillars, centipedes, and even lizards. Mr. Elliot men- 

 tions a quail's egg entire haying been found in the stomach of one. In 



