95 
449. Turnix castanotus. 
Hemipodius castanotus, Gould Vol. Y. PI. 85. 
450. Turnix pyrrhothorax. 
Hemipodius pyrrhothorax, Goidd .... Yol. V. PI. 86. 
451. Turnix velox. 
Hemipodius velox, Gould Yol. V. PI. 87- 
Family TETRAONIDHS. 
Genus Coturnix. 
One true Quail is all that has yet been described as inhabiting 
Australia ; as might be expected, it is a denizen of the plains, as 
well as of all the open districts of any extent where grass-lands 
occur ; it also resorts to the arable districts in great abundance. A 
difference exists in specimens from the western and eastern coasts, 
the former having a deep fawn or light rufous tint pervading the 
under surface ; and it is possible that this difference of colouring 
may be characteristic of a second and distinct species. 
452. Coturnix pectoralis, Gould Yol. V. PI. 88. 
Genus Synoicus. 
Generic characters. 
As in Perdix , but with no spur on the tarsi, and the tail almost 
obsolete. 
The great paucity of the Gallinacece in Australia is very remark- 
able, the members of the present genus being almost the only repre- 
sentatives of that group of birds inhabiting the country. The simi- 
larity of the habits and economy of these birds to those of the true 
Partridges, particularly to our own well-known species the Perdix 
cinerea , allies them more nearly to those birds than to the Quails. 
Low, flat, grassy meads, the sides of rushy creeks, and districts 
clothed with dense herbage, are the favourite resorts of these birds, 
which move about in small coveys, and when flushed fly but a short 
distance before they again alight. As an article of food they are 
all that can be wished. 
Every part of the country, from Port Essington on the north to 
Yan Diemen’s Land on the south, is inhabited by one or other 
species of the genus, which are, I doubt not, more numerous than 
I have represented, for I feel confident that the bird found at Port 
Essington is quite distinct from those of the south coast. 
453. Synoicus Australis Vol. Y. PI. 89. 
454. Synoicus Diemenensis, Gould . . . . . Vol. V. PI. 90. 
455. Synoicus sordidus, Gould Yol. V. PI. 91. 
456. Synoicus ? Chinensis Vol. Y. PI. 92. 
