THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
192 
notes. Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting open country generally. 
It is common everywhere, even in the public parks of our cities. 
Frequently, when flushed, it rises with a graceful undulating flight, 
uttering with each upward movement its warbling notes, then suddenly 
it drops to the ground. It rarely flies for any great distance, generally 
relying on short flights, or running to keep out of one's way. Food: 
chiefly insects; also seeds. 
nest. A rather deep, cup-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses, 
and built in a hollow in the ground. It is generally placed near or 
under a tuft of grass, and sometimes near a bush or stone. 
eggs. Three or four, greyish-white, finely spotted and freckled all 
over, but chiefly at the larger end, with pale umber and dull slaty- 
grey markings. Breeding-season: August to January. 
12. Chestnut-backed Quail Turnix castanota Gould 
Tur'-nix- L., turnix , quail: cas-ta-ndt'-a- Gk, castanon , chestnut; Gk, 
noton, back. 
distribution. From Kimberley (north-western Australia) to Arn¬ 
hem Land (Northern Territory). 
notes. Usually in coveys of from fifteen to thirty in number, fre¬ 
quenting the sandstone country. When disturbed, these birds seldom 
rise together, but run along the ground; it is only when very closely 
pressed that they will take wing, and then they merely fly a short 
distance. While running on the ground their heads are thrown up as 
high as their necks will permit, and as their bodies are carried very 
erect, a waddling motion is given to their gait, which is very amusing. 
Food: mainly seeds. The female is much larger than the male. 
nest. A depression beneath a tussock or in a clump of grass, especi¬ 
ally in the neighbourhood of water. 
eggs. Usually four, greenish-white; some are boldly speckled with 
very dark brown, or almost black, markings, especially on the larger 
end, while others have much smaller faint spots of purplish-brown. 
Breeding-season: January. 
13. Buff-breasted Quail Turnix olivei Robinson 
olivei— E. Olive, collector, Cooktown, Queensland. 
distribution. Northern Queensland (Cape York Peninsula). 
notes. Usually in pairs or small coveys, inhabiting the rank grass¬ 
lands in open forest country. Little is known of its habits, except that 
it is remarkably shy and difficult to flush. Food: seeds; a large quantity 
of fine gravel is swallowed to aid digestion. The female is much larger 
than the male. 
NEST. An ovate structure with an entrance at the side, composed of 
soft, dry, narrow blades of long fine grass; placed in a shallow depres¬ 
sion in the ground. 1 
eggs. Usually four, whitish, minutely speckled, spotted, and blotched 
all over with markings of reddish-brown, bluish-grey, and black, the 
last two colours being the most predominant. Breeding-season: March 
