444. Turnix melanogaster. Hemipodius melanogaster, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 81. 445. Turnix varius. Hemipodius varius Vol. V. Pl. 82. 446. Turnix scintillans. 447. Hemipodius scintillans, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 83. 448. Turnix melanotus. Hemipodius melanotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 84. 449. Turnix castanotus. Hemipodius castanotus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 85. 450. Turnix pyrrhothorax. Hemipodius pyrrhothorax, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 86. 451. Turnix velox. Hemipodius velox, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 87. Family TETRAONIDÆ, _Leach_. Genus COTURNIX, _Mœhr_. One true Quail is all that has yet been described as inhabiting Australia; as might be expected, it is a denizen of the plains, as well as of all the open districts of any extent where grass-lands occur; it also resorts to the arable districts in great abundance. A difference exists in specimens from the western and eastern coasts, the former having a deep fawn or light rufous tint pervading the under surface; and it is possible that this difference of colouring may be characteristic of a second and distinct species. 452. Coturnix pectoralis, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 88. Genus SYNOÏCUS, _Gould_. Generic characters. As in _Perdix_, but with no spur on the tarsi, and the tail almost obsolete. The great paucity of the _Gallinaceæ_ in Australia is very remarkable, the members of the present genus being almost the only representatives of that group of birds inhabiting the country. The similarity of the habits and economy of these birds to those of the true Partridges, particularly to our own well-known species the _Perdix cinerea_, allies them more nearly to those birds than to the Quails. Grassy meads, the sides of rushy creeks, and districts clothed with dense herbage, are the favourite resorts of these birds, which move about in small coveys, and when flushed fly but a short distance before they again alight. As an article of food they are all that can be wished. Every part of the country, from Port Essington on the north to Van Diemen’s Land on the south, is inhabited by one or other species of the genus, which are, I doubt not, more numerous than I have represented, for I feel confident that the bird found at Port Essington is quite distinct from those of the south coast. 453. Synoïcus Australis Vol. V. Pl. 89. 454. Synoïcus Diemenensis, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 90. 455. Synoïcus sordidus, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 91. 456. Synoïcus? Chinensis Vol. V. Pl. 92. Order GRALLATORES, _Ill._ Family STRUTHIONIDÆ, _Vig._ Genus DROMAIUS, _Vieill._