192 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
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 Tumi .r castanota Gould 
Tnr-nix- —L., tnrnix, quail: cas-ta-not'-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, 
frequenting 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. 
E 39 ?-—Usually four, greenish-white; some are boldly speckled with 
veiy 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 Tnrnix olivei Robinson 
olivei—E. Olive, collector, Cooktown, Queensland. 
Distribution. Northern Queensland (Cape York Peninsula). 
* n ^ a * rS ° r . sma ^ coveys, inhabiting the rank grass- 
re n L hl u L ’ tt!e is known of its habits, except that it 
s emarkably shy and difficult to flush. Food : seeds; a large quantity of 
to wed to aid digestion ' T1,e fe ™ le “ 
Nest .—An ovate structure with 
soft, dry, narrow blades of long fine 
m the ground. 
an entrance at the side, composed of 
grass; placed in a shallow depression 
all owfwitlwnarkbJ^of ’, llinutely s Peckled, spotted, and blotched 
two colours beinp- tpf reddish-brown, bluish-grey, and black, the last 
colours being the most predominant. Breeding-season: March. 
