Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

Stubble Q.—
<i>Coturnix pectoralis</i>, Gould.

In New Zealand there is a single species, <i>Coturnix novae-zelandiae</i>, Quoy and Gaim.

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. ii. c. vii. p. 259:

"It is known to the colonists as the painted quail; and has been called by Mr. Gould . . . <i>Haemipodius melinatus</i>."

1859. H. Kingsley, `Geoffrey Hamlyn,' p. 298:

"The painted quail, and the brush quail, the largest of Australian gamebirds, I believe, whirred away from beneath their horses' feet."

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p. 67:

"The swamp fowl and timorous quail . . .
Will start from their nests."

1889. Prof. Parker, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition,' p. 117:

"This group also is represented by a single species, the New Zealand quail (<i>Coturnix Novae-Zelandiae</i>), belonging to a widely distributed genus. It was formerly very abundant in New Zealand; but within the last fifteen or twenty years has been completely exterminated, and is now only known to exist on the Three Kings Island, north of Cape Maria Van Diemen."