CGTURNIX PECTORALIS, Gould. 
Pectoral Quail. 
Coturnix pectoralis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 8 ; and in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part II. — List of 
Birds in Brit. Mus. Coll., Part III. p. 40. 
Stubble Quail of the Colonists of Van Diemen’s Land. 
In Van Diemen’s Land, South Australia and New South Wales, the present speeies is very abundant ; I 
have also received specimens from Western Australia and a single example from the north coast, from 
both of which localities the specimens are smaller, and have a more huffy tint pervading the under surface ; 
I am not, however, prepared to affirm that they are specifically distinct from the bird here figured, although 
I am disposed to regard them as such. Open grassy plains, extensive grass flats, and those parts of the 
country under cultivation, are situations favourable to the habits of the bird ; in its economy and mode of 
life, in fact, it so closely resembles the Quail of Europe {Coturniso communis), that a description of one is 
equally descriptive of the other. In South Australia it may be found on all the extensive plains to the 
north of Adelaide ; I sometimes flushed a single bird without finding another in the neighbourhood, while 
at others I met with it in pairs or in small parties of from four to six in number. Although occa- 
sionally found in the immediate neighbourhood, it affects totally different situations from those frequented 
by the Syndicus Australis, which goes in coveys, and which differs but little in its habits from the Common 
Partridge {Perdix cinerea). Its powers of flight are considerable, and when flushed, it wings its way with 
arrow-like swiftness to a distant part of the plain ; it lies well to a pointer, and has from the first 
settlement of the colony always afforded considerable amusement to the sportsman. I need scarcely 
say that it is an excellent bird for the table, equalling as it does in this respect its European representative. 
During my rambles in the districts frequented by this Quail, I frequently found its nest and eggs, which 
bear a strong resemblance to those of our own Quail; much variation, however, exists in their colouring, 
some being largely blotched all over with brown on a straw-white ground, while from this to a finely peppered 
marking every variety occurred ; the number of eggs in each nest varied from eleven to fourteen. The 
situations chosen for the nest are also very various ; I sometimes found it placed among the thick grass of 
the luxuriant flats, while at others it was artfully concealed by a tuft of overhanging grass on the open 
plains, where the temperature was of a much warmer character, and where, from the exposed situation, the 
sun’s rays caused a degree of heat never felt in the humid situations just alluded to. The chief food of this 
species is grain, seeds and insects, the grain as a matter of course being oidy procured in cultivated 
districts ; and hence the name of Stubble Quail has been given to it by the colonists of Van Diemen’s Land, 
from the great numbers that visit the fields after the harvest is over. 
September and the three following months constitute the breeding-season ; but it is somewhat later in 
Van Diemen’s Land than in South Australia and New South Wales. 
The average weight of the male is four ounces and a half ; the female, which rarely equals her mate 
in size, may at all times be distinguished by the total absence of the black markings on the chest, and by 
tlie throat being white instead of buff. 
The male has the lores, ear-coverts and throat huff; crown of the head and back of the neck deep 
brown ; over each eye two parallel lines of yellowish white ; a similar line down the centre of the head from 
the forehead to the nape ; back of the neck brown, each feather marked down its centre with a lanceolate 
mark of yellowish white, blotched on each side with black ; mantle, back and upper tail-coverts brown, 
transversely rayed with zigzag markings of black, and striped down the centre with lanceolate markings of 
yellowish white ; wings brown, transversely rayed with zigzag lines of grey and black ; primaries and 
centre of the chest black ; sides of the chest brown ; abdomen white, each feather marked down its centre 
with black ; flanks rich brown, the centre of each feather white, bounded on either side by a fine line of 
black ; bill black ; irides hazel ; feet pearly vinous white. 
The female differs in being destitute of the black marks on the chest, in the throat being white instead of 
buff, and in the bill being olive instead of black. 
The Plate represents both sexes of the natural size. 
