RHYNCHORTYX. 
OS 
— 
(S)] 
RHYNCHORTYX. 
Rhynchortyx, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 443 (1893). 
In the genus Rhynchortyx there is no distinct crest, the first flight-feather is inter- 
mediate in length between the eighth and ninth, the tail is less than half the length of 
the wing and composed of ten feathers, and the tarsus is longer than the middle toe 
and claw. In all the other genera of Partridges and Quails previously mentioned the 
reverse obtains, the tarsus being shorter than the middle toe and claw. The sex has 
not been ascertained of any of the specimens recorded. 
Two species have been ‘described, both of which occur within our limits. 
1. Rhynchortyx spodiostethus. (Odontophorus spodiostethus, Tab. LXX V1.) 
Odontophorus spodiostethus, Salv. lbis, 1878, p. 447; Richmond, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. xvi. p. 524°. 
Rhynchortyx spodiostethus, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 443°; Handb. Game-Birds, i. 
p. 162. t. 34°. 
Supra castaneo-brunneus, interscapulio cinereo lavato; dorso postico magis cinerascenti-brunneo, maculis 
paucis sagittiformibus ornato; scapularibus et secundariis intimis migro conspicue maculatis, rufo 
fasciatis, his intus et ad apicem arenario limbatis vel indentatis ; tectricibus alarum cineraceo fasciatim 
vermiculatis et maculis magnis nigris ornatis; remigibus sepiariis, secundariis rufo indentatis ; rectricibus 
rufescenti-brunneis, rufo nigroque transfasciatis ; pileo rufescenti-brunneo; loris, supercilio lato, facie 
laterali et gula lete castaneis, regione parotica summa nigricante; gutture imo, preepectore et pectoris 
lateribus schistaceis, pectore reliquo saturate ochraceo, abdomine medio albo; subcaudalibus et hypo- 
chondriis imis ochraceis nigro fasciatis; ala intus sepiaria, subalaribus marginalibus nigris. Long. tota 
circa 7-0, alee 4:4, caudew 1:55, culm. 0°65, tarsi 1°35. (Deser. exempl. typ. ex Veragua. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Nicaraaua, Rio Escondido (Richmond 2), Ojoche (Richardson); Panama’, Veragua 
(Arcé! 8), Agua Dulce (Mus. Brit., ea coll. Gould *). 
This prettily marked Colin was described from Veragua by Salvin. Mr. Richmond 
procured it on the Escondido River, and we have more recently received from 
Mr. Richardson a specimen from Ojoche, Nicaragua. Compared with the type, the 
Nicaraguan examples show some notable differences. The chestnut colour of the sides 
of the face is lighter and more orange, and that of the lower part of the back and 
rump is different, being of a light olive-brown, instead of greyish- or vinous-brown. 
It would, however, be imprudent to describe the Nicaraguan and Panama birds as 
belonging to separate species, without a larger series of specimens: the variation in 
colour may be due to age, but we do not think this is likely. 
2. Rhynchortyx cinctus. (Odontophorus cinctus, Tab. LX XV.) 
Odontophorus cinctus, Salv. Ibis, 1876, p. 379’; Rowley, Orn. Mise. ii. p. 39, t. 86 7 
Rhynchortyx cinctus, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 444°; Handb. Game-Birds, 1. p. 162°. 
R. spodiostetho similis, et supra eodem modo perdicario coloratus, sed gutture et supercilio albis, facie laterali 
olivaceo-brunnea, prepectore et pectore rufo-brunneis minime cinereis, pectore medio et abdomine laterali 
albis, uigro transfasciatis, facile distinguendus. Long. tota circa 7-0, ale 4:7, caude 1:5, culm. 0°65, 
tarsi 1:05. (Descr. exempl. typ. ex Veragua. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Panama, Veragua (Arcé! 3). 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER.. Aves, Vol. III., February 1903. 40 
