SOME BIRDS OF THE AIR AND OPEN SPACES 
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14. Little Quail Turnix velox Gould 
ve'-lox—L., velox , swift. 
distribution. Australia generally. 
notes. Also called Button Quail, Swift-flying Quail, Dotterel Quail, 
Butterfly Quail, and Thick-billed Quail. Usually in coveys, large or 
small, inhabiting the open plains. It is nomadic, its appearance being 
regulated by the rainfall; if the season is a good one, large flocks 
appear; in times of drought it seldom visits its old haunts. It lies close, 
and when flushed, flies short distances at a great speed. Generally 
the flocks scatter when disturbed, making it difficult to flush them 
again. Food: seeds and fine gravel. The female is larger than the male. 
nest. A slight depression in the ground, lined with grass; usually 
placed near and partly hidden by a tuft of grass. 
eggs. Usually four, buffy-white, thickly spotted with slate-grey, 
chestnut, and odd spots of purplish-brown. Breeding-season: Septem¬ 
ber to December, but individuals may be found breeding practically 
throughout the year. 
15. Red-chested Quail Turnix pyrrhothorax Gould 
pyr-rho-tho'-rax— Gk, pyrrhos, fire-coloured; Gk, thorax , chest. 
distribution. Northern, eastern, southern, and central Australia. 
notes. Also called Chestnut-breasted Quail and Yellow Quail. 
Usually in pairs or small coveys, inhabiting grass-lands, either in high 
dry country or river-flats. It is nomadic in habits. Food: seeds. 
nest. A slight depression in the ground, scantily lined with grasses, 
usually protected by a grass tuft or sheltered by a low shrub; sometimes 
situated in a grain crop. 
eggs. Usually four, buffy-white, spotted with slate-grey, chestnut, 
and dark brown markings. Breeding-season: September to December. 
16. Red-backed Quail Turnix maculosa Temminck—J 16 A. Female 
mac'-u-lo'-sa— L., maculosus , full of spots. 
distribution. Northern and eastern Australia to as far south as 
northern Victoria; also occurs in New Guinea. 
notes. Also called Black-backed Quail, Orange-breasted Quail, and 
Black-spotted Quail. Usually in pairs or small coveys, chiefly inhabiting 
low marshy lands studded with low scrub. It is a shy species, lies very 
close, and is very difficult to flush. Food: seeds. 
nest. A hollow in the ground, scantily lined with grass; sheltered 
by a tuft of grass, a low bush, or herbage. 
eggs. Usually four, greyish-white to a faint yellowish or light stone- 
grey, almost entirely hidden by very minute freckles of pale umber 
intermingled with other markings of varied shades of grey. Breeding- 
season: October to January or February. 
