758 
COTURNIX CHINENSIS. 
Mr. Gould separated the Australian species in his ‘Handbook’ as distinct, bestowing on it the title of Excalf actoria 
australis, on the ground of it being smaller. I do not find this to be the case, and as regards plumage it is not 
separable from 3 lalayau-arehipelago skins. The following are measurements of various examples (S. Australia), 
wing 2-7 inches : d (Ceylon), wing 2-7 ; d ’e (China), wing 2-7 and 2-9 ; d (Sarawak), wing 2-9 ; d (Penang), wing 2-7 ; 
( ey on), wing L ti , <j> (Nepal), wing 2-8 ; 5 (South Australia), wing 2 - 6. It will be seen from these data that 
mere is not that difference in size which would warrant a specific separation. 
Females from China appear to have the under surface more rufous than Ceylonese. 
G. minima Gould, from Celebes, is, as its name implies, a very diminutive variety of the present. It differs also as 
regards plumage. 
Distribution. This beautiful species is found chiefly in the well-watered low-country districts of the 
west of the island, ranging into the hills to some considerable elevation, where it affects the paddy-fields 
cultivated on the terraced sides of the Kandyan valleys. It is a permanent resident in the cinnamon- 
gardens near Colombo, inhabiting the “ water "-grass-fields and the damp fern-covered hollows near the 
watercourses which here and there intersect that once extensive plantation. In the south of Ceylon I have 
found them tolerably frequent in paddy-fields and grass cultivation near Galle, where Layard, as well as at 
Matara, observed it to be common. He likewise saw it in the Pasdun Ivorale. In the valley of Dumbara 
it is not uncommon, and I have known it to occur in paddy-fields high up in Hewahette (3500 feet). It is 
found about the borders of some of the tanks in the northern half of the island, affecting the grass-lands 
which surround these sheets of water. I noticed it particularly near Minery, and I have no doubt it frequents 
many such situations. 
On the mainland its distribution is easterly. It does not inhabit the north-western parts of India at 
all, but ranges through Bengal into Assam and Burmah, and thence southwards down the Malay peninsula 
and eastwards to China. Jerdon writes I have killed it only in the Carnatic ; one specimen is recorded 
m my Catalogue from Belgaum in Western India. It occurs occasionally in Central India, and in the upper 
provinces as far as Bareilly ; but it is rare in all these localities, and perhaps only stragglers find their way 
so far. In Lower Bengal it is tolerably abundant in damp grassy meadows, the edges of indigo-fields, and 
m the grass on the roadsides; and in Burmah it was, in the month of July, the only Quail I observed.” 
o lowing up these remarks I find that it has not been met with by recent naturalists in the Deccan, and that 
little is said m ‘ Stray Feathers ’ about its occurrence anywhere in India. Mr. Ball remarks that it occurs 
rarely in Ghota Nagpur; and Mr. Ilume records it from Raipur only as regards that part of India. In the 
British Museum there is a specimen from Nepal. On the eastern side of the Bay of Bengal it becomes 
northern confines of India it is resident; for, according to Dr. Scully, it is a permanent inhabitant of the plains of 
Kasgharia, and m these regions it has been obtained by Dr. Henderson as high as 13,500 feet at the Karatag lake In 
the northern and south-western districts of Turkestan, Severtzoff states that it is resident up to 1000 feet. In Persia 
writes Mr. Blanford, it is common in the summer, leaving there for India in the cold season. 
It is an inhabitant of all Europe as far north as Archangel, and is tolerably common in Great Britain, extending in 
e breeding-season to the north of Scotland and also of Ireland. Throughout the continent of Africa it ranges as"far 
bf hr'r'f’fwr^ S lnt ° MadagaSCar ’ whence ^ofessor Newton has received it, audit has been obtained 
s] ,, . ,, ’V 1 ” 1 0 a ' lrituis ' 11 13 > however, principally a winter bird in Africa, migrating, according to Captain 
' q \ r* 8 1 • ° U f lts Way t0 EuTOpe in Marc 'h, and returning again in November. Layard states that they arrive 
m South 1 rica m August, some making their appearance as early as the 15th. The Atlantic islands are also included 
x viri “ ta,eis ! ** “ “ M-*. «• me-™, in rss 
rpa(1 Concerning the Quail’s habits in India (with which I merely have to do in such a curt notice as this) we 
ad m Jerdon that it is there found m long grass, corn-fields, stubble, and fields of pulse, wandering about according 
as the crops ripen indifferent parts of the country. . . . In parts of Bengal they abound to U an extent that se"n“y g 
