ni tutu u m t m pAJL
Turnix dussumieri, Temminck.
V O M A C U L A R N A M E S - — [Chota lowa, Dubki, Turra (Hindustani); Chimnaj. ñíitíha ;
Libbia, Purmah ; Tatu-biiteyra, Sind; Durwi (Mahratlii), Kalna&iri; Chinrt*
(or tella) dabba gúndlu, (Telegu); SAN güudlu, Orista ;]
HE Little Button Quail is a comparatively common
and widely-distributed species, and yet I am unable
to define its range with any precision.
It has not been recorded from any part of British
Burma, Tcnasserim, Pegu or Aracan, nor have I
any record of its occurrence in Chittagong or Tipperah,
or any part of Assam, except the Khdsia Hills,
and it is rare,* I think, in the low deltaic districts of Bengal.
Again, I cannot ascertain that it has been observed in
Ceylon f or in the southernmost districts of the Peninsula, or,
in fact (though it doubtless does so occur), anywhere south
of Mysore. Lastly, I do not know whether this species extends
into the Trans-Indus portions of the Punjab.
Excluding these outlying regions (in some of which it will
certainly prove to occur), the Little Button Quail is found in
suitable localities throughout the less-elevated portions of the
rest of the Empire, extending in summer into the valleys and
lower ranges of the Himalayas up to an elevation of about
6 , 0 0 0 fect from Sikhim to, at any rate, as far west as Simla,
close to which, at Syrce, I have myself procured it.
I am inclined to believe that it is only a monsoon visitant to
the greater portion of the Punjab and Kajputana, to Sind, and
probably Cutch and Kathiawar also.
I said above,advisedly, "suitable localities," because it avoids
wet swampy tracts, whilst they are this, though it may be found
even in jhils when they and the surrounding country have dried
up ; because it equally eschews the more arid, semi-desert
* Mr. H. J. Rainey remark*:—" In the Jessore district it is a pcriiianeiil resident.
Not numerous, breeds during the rains, I believe. It lies very close, and
I have frequently seen natives capture it by throwing a clolh over and around the
spot in the grass on which it has been seen to drop after being flushed."
+ Mr. A. Whyle, however, writes that " a very small Hulton Quail is reporied
from the highest Patcna grounds in the island, but I have never succeeded in
procuring a I-pcciraen." So possibly this species dues occur in Ceylon.