Microperdix erythrorhynchus (Sykes).
The Fainted Bush-Quail.

Perdicula erythrorhyncha (Sykes), Jerd. B. Ind. ii, p. 584.
Microperdix erythrorhyncha (Sykes), Hume, Rough Draft N. & E. no. 828.

From the end of August until well into April, according to situation and elevation, eggs of the Painted Bush-Quail are to be found. As in the case of many other species, their season of nidification probably depends a good deal upon whether their habitat is exposed to the south-west or north-east monsoon. Possibly they have two broods.

Ten is, I believe, the full complement of eggs, but many more are said to be sometimes found, and perhaps two hens occasionally share a nest. The nest is placed on the ground under the shelter of some cover, and varies precisely as does that of the Rock Bush-Quail.

The Painted Bush-Quail is common throughout the hills and jungles of the Peninsula of India and on the west occurs as far north as the Satpooras, and, 1 am informed, at the Ghats above Bombay. On the east, in the jungles of the Mahanuddy, Sumbulpoor and Sirgoojah in Chota Nagpoor, it appears to be replaced by a closely allied species, M. blewitti.

The present species is extremely abundant on the Nilghiris, whence (from Kotaghery) Miss Cockburn writes; - "The Painted Bush-Quail breeds in the months of January, February, and March, and again in September and October. They build no nests, but merely scratch shallow holes in the ground in which they lay from ten to fourteen eggs.   A few minutes after the young are hatched they are able to accompany their parents in search of food. I do not know a prettier sight than a brood of young Quails running after the old birds. They are such pretty little dark downy things, with three stripes of a very light cream-colour extending down their backs."

Mr. J. Darling, Junior, tells me that he has found the nests of this species in the Wynaad and on the Nilghiris from August to November.

Eggs of this species sent me from the Nilghiris are long ovals, pointed towards the small end, somewhat glossy, spotless, and of a uniform, often very pale, cafe-au-lait colour. Both in colour and size these eggs are intermediate between those of the Grey Partridge and the Rock Bush-Quail.

In length they vary from 1.11 to 1.35, and in breadth from 0.87 to 0.95; but the average of thirty eggs is 1.22 by 0.91.