The AFRICAN BUSH QUAIL (_Turnix Africanus_, or _T. Gibraltariensis_), one
of the largest members of the group, is about six inches long; the sexes
resemble each other in the coloration of their plumage, but the female
is of much greater size, and fully one-third heavier than her mate. The
dark brown head of the male is enlivened by three yellow streaks, and the
back marked with irregular black and brown zigzag lines; the feathers of
the wing-covers are yellow, with a black spot on the outer and a reddish
yellow spot on the inner web; the throat is white, and the region of the
crop reddish brown, each feather being edged with a lighter tint; the
sides are reddish brown, with a few dark spots, and shade gradually into
the pure white that covers the belly; the outer webs of the quills have
light edges; the eye is yellow, the beak yellowish, and the foot lead-grey.
This species is found in many parts of Sicily and Spain, and stragglers
are sometimes seen in the plains of Languedoc; it is met with also in the
north of Africa, especially among the thickets and dwarf palms of Mount
Atlas. Tristram informs us that a nest found in Algeria was most carefully
concealed in thick bushes, and contained several eggs, slightly spotted,
and of a purplish blue shade.