194 the birds of Australia 
17. Stubble-quail Coturnix pectoralis Gould—17A. Female 
Cot-urn'-ix— L., coturnix, quail: pec-tor-a'-lis— L., pectoralis, breasted. 
distribution. Australia (except the tropical coastal districts) and 
Tasmania. 
notes. Usually in coveys, large or small, inhabiting open plains, 
well-grassed lands, and cultivation paddocks. It is nomadic in habits, 
often appearing in immense flocks in good seasons. It is considered to 
be one of the finest game birds of Australia, as well as one of the most 
useful. Food: seeds (mostly of noxious weeds), green grasses of various 
kinds, and insects and their larvae. 
nest. A grass-lined depression in the ground, sheltered by a tuft of 
grass, herbage, or low bush; sometimes situated in standing crops. 
eggs. Usually about seven or eight, bufTy, freckled and blotched 
with reddish-brown over the entire surface. Breeding-season: usually 
September to January or February. 
18. Plain Wanderer Pedionomus torquatus Gould—18A. Female 
Ped'-i-o-nom'-us—Gk, pedionomos, plain-wandering: tor-quo!-tus— L., 
torquatus , collared. 
distribution. Western New South Wales, western Victoria, 
central Australia, and South Australia. 
notes. Also called Collared Plain Wanderer and Turkey Quail. 
Usually singly or in pairs, inhabiting open plains and level grassed 
lands. It flies only when compelled to do so, and when disturbed, 
crouches down to hide itself in the grass. When running about it has 
the habit of raising itself in an upright position on its toes, to enable 
it to take a wide survey of its surroundings. Food: seeds and insects. 
nest. A grass-lined depression in the ground, frequently sheltered 
by a tuft of grass, occasionally a herbaceous plant, or low bush. 
eggs. Usually four, stone-coloured or yellowish-white, thickly freckled 
and blotched with a few smudges, interspersed with different shades 
of umber and slaty-grey; some markings appear as if beneath the shell. 
Breeding-season: September to January or February. 
19. Brown Song-lark Cinclorhamphus cruralis Vigors and Horsfield 
Cin-clo-rhamph'-us-G k, cinclos (higklos), bird; Gk, rhamphos, bill: 
crur-d'-lis— L., cruralis (strong) legged. 
distribution. Australia generally. 
notes. Also called Black-breasted Lark, Flarvest-bird, Singing Lark, 
Skylark, and Corn Crake. Usually in pairs, inhabiting grass lands and 
cultivation paddocks. It is a migratory species, usually arriving in 
south-eastern Australia during August or September, departing about 
February. It spends much of its time on the ground, but frequently 
perches on fences and stumps, or in dead trees. Usually when flushed 
it will sing as it flies away. It is one of our finest songsters, ascending 
high in the air, singing as it rises or while hovering with trembling 
