6 



Catalogue of Vic Birds 



[July 



female has been well described by Colonel Sykes. The natives generally 

 consider this bird as more allied to the jrmgle fowls than to the 

 partridges, and it is said to run with its tail elevated. 



Bill, naked skin round eye, and legs red. Length 1 i-15 inches; of 

 \\hich the tail is about 5. 



Sub -Genus COTURNIX, Quails. 



275. — C Dactylisonam. — Ghaghus, 11.— Large gf^ct/ Quail or Deccany 

 Quail. 



The quail of Europe is by no means common in most parts of the 

 peninsula, and certainly appears in greatest abundance during the cold 

 'vveather, though according to Sykes and others, it remains and breeds 

 here during the monsoon. It is found generally in long grass by the 

 sides of rivers, tanks, and nullahs, or among tlie grain-fields, and gene- 

 rally in pairs. 



Length 7§ to 8 inches. Average weight about 4^ oz. ; bill dusky 

 brown ; irides light brown ; legs flesh-coloured. 



276. — C. Textilis, Temm. — Pe?xl. Coromandclica, Lath. — P. olioacca, 

 Buch, — JSalieir^ H. — Black breasted Quail. — Hain quail of some. 



This pretty little species is very common in most of the well culti- 

 vated districts of India, frequenting the fields in bevies, and also patches 

 of grass in various situations, and low jungle. It breeds during the mon- 

 soon ; many natives consider it as the male of the last. Irides reddish 

 brown ; bill horny brown. 



Leno-th 6— 6i inches ; weight about 2^ oz. 



277. — C. argoondah, Sykes. — PerJ. Camhayensis, Auct. ? — Lcwa\ II. 

 '—Rock Quail — Biisli Quail of some. 



The common rock quail is exceedingly abundant in every part of India, 

 frequenting bushy and stony ground, and also the neighbouring grain- 

 fields in considerable bevies. It is much used by the natives for fighting, 

 which it does with greaf spirit and obstinacy. 



Irides reddish brown ; bill dusky blackish ; legs red. Length 6— 6|- 

 inches. 



278. C. pentah^ Svkes—Pe7'd, ruhiginosa, Yaleuc— Geerzah, H. — 

 Forest quail. 



I fully agree with Col. Sykes in separating this species from the last, 

 from my own observations, its diflerent habitat, and the testimony 

 of all the quail fanciers of Southern India, who will at once point out a 



