Denis - Surveys across the Australian community
have shown consistently that Canberrans are the least excitable component of
the population, the most excitable being those in postcode area 3145.
Indeed, the Southern Highlands contains pockets with an excitability rating
slightly above the national average. Admittedly there is considerable
variation in that sub-area, the community of Robertson being rated ‘P’
for ‘phlegmatic’, indicating the average Robertsonian is in the
least excitable 20% of the population.
Of course individual excitability may vary from the community
norm. I have heard unofficially that a certain federal politician,
technically resident in Canberra, broke down when told about the dead juvenile Painted
Button-quail at Kangaloon. Mind you, with politicians it is difficult to
know when such a reaction is genuine.
Geoffrey
From: Denis Wilson [
Sent: Friday, 28 January 2011 2:44 AM
To: COG bird discussions
Cc: Brendan Wilson (work); AA Leo broadband
Subject: [canberrabirds] Juvenile Painted Button-quail found dead
Image
Warning: Dead bird image follows - for scientific interest.
Before you Canberrans all get excited, this is a record from Kangaloon, in the
Southern Highlands, not from Canberra.
The habitat is mixed Scribbly Gum and Stringybark Forest, with grass and Pea
Bitter Pea especially) and mixed Proteaceous scrub undergrowth. Sandstone soil
substrate.
I have posted this record on my Blog tonight: http://peonyden.blogspot.com/2011/01/painted-button-quail-chick-found-in.html
The reason for posting this here is to show you the close-up of the feet of the
Button-quail.
Something one seldom sees up close.
Three toes, as is well known. Note the well developed toe nails and the smooth
textured feet - so different from passerines.
But the third image shows the callus on the foot instead of the third toe. This
was something I was most interested to observe.
Presumably an evolutionary "left-over".
Cheers
Denis Wilson
