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Turnix albiventris, Hume.
Vernacular Names.—[Mod (Nicobaresc) Camorta. ]
E only actually observed this Quail in the islands of
Bompoka, Camorta, and Tiressa, but it doubtless
occurs throughout the group where grass-covered
uplands and hills exist.
We also obtained it both near Port Blair and near
Port Mouat of the South Andaman ; but in the
Andamans there is but little grass, dense forests
occupying almost the entire surface where this has not been
cleared for cultivation, and there arc few localities in these
islands suitable to its tastes.
I believe its home to be in the Nicobars, and I look upon it
as a mere emigrant to the Andamans.
It has not been procured as yet outside these two groups of
islands, but it may yet prove to occur in North-Western
Sumatra.
It appears, now that we have a good scries, to be a well-marked
species, closely allied indeed to some of the insular forms
described of late years from further east, but distinct from all.
THERE IS very little to be said of its habits, which appear to
resemble closely those of the Indian and Little Button Quails.
It is never found in forest, only in the open grassy uplands
which constitute the distinctive character of the scenery of the
Nicobars, or in gardens or cultivation surrounded by, or adjacent
to, these.
They are generally found singly, never in coveys (unless
perhaps whilst the broods are very young); they rise without
much whirr and very reluctantly, and drop again into the grass
very speedily.
No one appears ever to have noticed their call.
The specimens examined proved to have fed entirely on small
seeds.
Long ago Davison said :—
" This Quail is very rare at the Andamans, where I only once
saw it and obtained one very indifferent specimen ; but at the