194 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
17. Stubble-quail Coturnix pectoralis Gould—17A. Female 
Cot-urn-ix _L., coturnix, quail: pec-tor-d -1 is L., pect oralis, breasted. 
Distribution. —Australia (except the tropical coastal districts) and 
Tasmania. 
Notes. _Usually in coveys, large or small, inhabiting open plains, well- 
o-rassed 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, buffy, 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-qua-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. 
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-rhaniph-us —Gk, cinclos ( kigklos ), bird; Gk, rhamphos, bill: 
crur-a -Its —L., cruralis, (strong) legged. 
Distribution .—Australia generally. 
Notes.—Ateo called Black-breasted Lark, Harvest-bird, Singing Lari 
y ar » an d C°in Crake. Usually in pairs, inhabiting grass-lands am 
1 f 1Va lc ? n P a dd° c ks. It is a migratory species, usuallv arriving in south 
Tr^"r UStr t lla , dUnn ^ Allgust or September, departing about^February 
P “ 1 ° V s j ime on ^ ie & roun d, but frequently perches on fence; 
awnv jf v ° r m 5 ea< ^ t J ees * Usually when flushed it will sing as it flie: 
is one of our finest songsters, ascending high in the air, singing 
