(1956) Cryptoplectron erythrorhynchum blewitti.
BLEWITT'S BUSH-QUAIL.
Microperdix blewitti Hume, Str. Feath., ii. p. 512 (1874) (Raipur) ; Blanf. & Oates, iv, p. 122.
Vernacular names. Sersei lowa (Mandla, Balaghat, Chanda).
Distribution.— Adult male. Differs from the preceding race in being duller and paler; the black gorget round the throat is very broken ; the white sincipital line is broader and the black forehead narrower ; the brown-grey wash on the breast is stronger and comes lower down, whilst there is more white on the feathers of the flanks.
Colours of soft parts. " Iris brown ; bill, legs and feet coral-red " (Hume).
Measurements. Wings 76 to 84 mm.; tail 39 to 44 mm.; tarsus about 26 mm.; culmen 13 to 14 mm.
Female differs from the female of the Painted Bush-Quail in being paler and duller.
Immature birds are like the female but show considerable white shaft-lining both on the breast and upper back.
Distribution. Central Provinces, North and East of the preceding race, having been obtained in Mandla, Balaghat, Seoni, Chandpur, Raipur, Sironcha and Bastar; it occurs in the South-West of the Sambalpur District and thence North-East to Manbhum, Singbhaum and Hazaribagh.
Nidification. Nothing recorded. Three eggs sent to me from Chanda as the eggs of the Painted Quail are undoubtedly those of this bird. They were taken on the 3rd August, laid on the ground in a scratching made in thin Sal- and scrub-jungle. They measure 30.5 x 24.0, 32.0 x 23.0 and 30.0 x 23.4, and in appearance are like those of the typical form but with a strong olive tinge. Blewitt says that the breeding-season is from November to January but Thompson says that he saw young on the wing in September and that they lay in June to July.
Habits. Similar to those of the preceding bird but its whistle is said to be softer and more melodious.
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