THE BLACK-BREASTED QUAIL. 
333 
687. COTURNIX COROMANDELICA. 
THE BLACK-BREASTED QUAIL. 
Tetrao coromandelicus, Gm. Syst. Nat i. p. 764. Coturnix coromandelica, 
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 588 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 550 : id. S. F. iii. p. 178 j 
Bl. B. Burm. p. 151 ; Hu7ne, S. F. viii. p. Ill ; Hame 8f Marsh. Game Birds, 
ii. p. 151, pi. ; Oates, 8. F. x. p. 236. 
Description. — Male. Similar io general appearance to the preceding^ but 
with the breast black and the black lines on the throat differently disposed ; 
centre of chin and throat black, of uniform width throughout ; from the 
lower end of this black patch a narrow band runs up to the ear-coverts, and 
another from the gape, the two meeting at right angles ; below the cross 
throat-band another broad band of white, and then another narrower 
black one. 
The female is very similar to the female of the preceding. 
In both sexes the outer webs of the primaries of the present species are 
edged with rufous, not barred as in the last ; and the two species may^ 
under all conditions of plumage, be discriminated by this character. 
Irides clear to dark brown ; legs and feet pale fleshy, in some greyish, in 
some with a yellowish tinge ; bill, in the male, bluish black to dusky, paler 
at the base below ; in the female brownish horny above, bluish horny 
below. (Hume.) 
Length 7 inches^ tail 1"5, wing 3'5, tarsus '9, bill from gape *6. The 
female is of about the same size. 
The Black-breasted or Rain Quail is found rather commonly in northern 
Pegu, especially in the dry parts near Thayetmyo, but whether as a resi- 
dent or a migrant I am not in a position to say. Mr. Hume states that 
he has received it from the Bassein district. It does not appear to be 
found in any part of Tenasserim ; but it is probably common in Arrakan. 
It occurs over the greater portion of India, and it has been met with in 
Chittagong ; so that it will probably be found throughout the Indo-Burmese 
countries. 
This Quail frequents grass-land covered with bushes in preference to 
fields and stubble. It is generally seen singly or in pairs, running quietly 
about^ picking up grass- seeds and insects. It has a pretty call of two 
whistling notes. It is not unlikely to be found breeding in Burmah, espe- 
cially on the dry ground around Thayetmyo. In India it breeds during 
the rains, depositing as many as nine eggs in a small hollow in the ground ; 
they are yellowish white or bufP, speckled and otherwise marked with 
black, purple, or brown. 
