SYNOICUS AUSTRALIS. 
Australian Partridg-e. 
Perdix Australis, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. Ixii. 
Coturnix Australis, Temm. Pig. et Gall. 8vo, tom. iii. pp. 474 and 740.— Shaw, Gen. ZooL, vol. xi. p. 373.^ — Vieill. 
Gal. des Ois., pi. 215. — Less. Traite d’Orn., p. 508. 
New Holland Quail, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 283. — Ih. Gen. Hist., vol. viii. p. 306. 
Moo-reete, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
Brown Quail, Colonists of Swan River and Van Diemen’s Land. 
The present speeies will at all times claim more than ordinary attention from the colonists of Australia, 
from the circumstance of its being the representative in that country of the Common Partridge of the 
British Islands, so renowned for the goodness of its flesh, and for the healthy pastime it annually affords 
during the shooting season to all who are attached to and follow the sports of the field. Although much 
more diminutive in size, the present species offers in many points of its economy a great similarity to its 
antipodean ally. I believe that several species of this intermediate form exist in Australia ; if, however, 
my surmise should prove to be incorrect, and it should be found that the Partridges over all parts of 
the country are merely varieties of each other, then it may be stated that the present species is an inha- 
bitant of every known part of Australia, the north coast even not being without its presence ; but if, on the 
other hand, it should be discovered that they are several distinct species, then the habitat of the present 
bird will be restricted to New South Wales, South Australia and Van Diemen’s Land, over the whole of 
which countries it is plentifully dispersed ; the localities most suited to its habits being thick grassy flats 
and humid spots overgrown with herbage, by the sides of rivers and water-holes. Its call is very similar 
to that of the Common Partridge, and like that bird it is found in coveys of from ten to eighteen in number, 
which simultaneously rise from the ground and pitch again within a hundred yards of the spot whence 
they rose. It sits so close, that it will often admit of being nearly trodden upon before it will rise. Pointers 
stand readily to it, and it offers perhaps better sport to the sportsman than any other bird inhabiting Au- 
stralia. Its weight is about four ounces and three quarters, and its flesh is delicious. 
The Australian Partridge breeds on the ground, where it constructs a slight nest of grass and leaves ; 
the eggs, which are of large size, and from ten to eighteen in number, are sometimes uniform bluish white, 
at others minutely freckled all over with buff. 
The sexes differ but little in their colouring, neither do the young birds from the adult, except that the 
markings are somewhat broader and more distinct. 
o 
Forehead, space between the bill and the eye, and the throat greyish white, with a tinge of buff ; all the 
upper surface irregularly marked with beautiful transverse bars of grey, black and chestnut, each feather on 
the back having a fine stripe down the centre ; shoulders greyish brown, the remainder of the wing marked 
with obscure transverse lines of grey, brown and black ; primaries brown, mottled on the external edges 
with greyish brown ; all the under surface huffy grey, each feather having numerous zigzag markings of 
black, and many of them having a very fine line of white down the centre ; bill blue, deepening into black at 
the tip ; irides orange ; feet dull yellow. 
The figures are of the natural size. 
