10 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF GEELONG 
(black and white in the female) that encircles the neck 
is the most conspicuous feature of the species, which 
is pre-eminently an inhabitant of the great plain 
stretching northwards from Lara. It possesses a 
hind-toe, and is thereby distinguishable from the 
Button and Painted Quails, while the nuchal collar 
will serve to mark it out easily from the true Quail. 
No sportsman who has done much Quail-shooting 
in our district can fail to have remarked this singular 
bird. Having the general appearance of a Quail, 
it yet suggests strongly the Bustard or Wild Turkey 
as it runs along with high-held neck. In its flight, 
moreover, it is not quite like any other bird. Rising 
suddenly from the ground, it goes off with a dipping, 
dropping motion which turns into a steady flutter 
like that of a young bird. Flight, however, is quite 
a last resource ; more often it hides in a tuft of 
grass and the dogs catch it. In the Quail seasons of 
191 1 and 1912 it was very often noted, chiefly about 
Lara, though several were seen on the border of the 
Grass Tree Plain near Bream Creek. 
The eggs, four in number, are very sharply pointed : 
they are more like Snipes' than Quails'. The nest is 
a slight tussock-sheltered hollow, lined with grass. 
I imagine this bird will be found to breed regularly 
in the country about Marathon ; I have seen one 
egg stated to have been taken near Point Henry, but 
doubt its authenticity, as the bird can only be an 
occasional visitor to the country south and east of 
Geelong. 
