15* 



Genus Francolinus, Steph. Francolin. 



159. Francolinus Ponticerianus, Steph., 11. 321. Perdix Ponticeri- 



ana, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 649. 18. Temm., PI. Col. 213. 



Ferruginous and Grey Francolhi. Teetur of the Mahrattas. 

 Called a partridge in the Dukhun, where it is one of the most 

 common birds, frequenting gardens and cultivated lands. 

 bides intense red brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 14 inches : 

 tail 3^o- inches. Not met with in the Ghauts, unless in well cul- 

 tivated valleys, and not at all on the mountains. Roosts on 

 trees -, and Colonel Sykes has on more than one occasion shot 

 them on trees during the daytime ; but this is a rare occurrence. 



160. Francolinus spadiceus. Franc, castaneus, supra fusco tinctus, 



plumarum marginibus dilutioribus ; capite, collo, venire, crisso, 

 tegminibusque caudce inferioribus fusco-brunneis ; vertice ni- 

 grescenti-brunneo ; plumarum ventris crissique rhachibus elon- 

 gatis, acutis. 

 Fcem. Supra nigro castaneoque varius ; pectoris abdominisque 



plumis castaneis ad apices lunuld laid nigra notatis. 

 Pullus. Fusco-ferrugineus, vittis tribus dorsalibus latis, inter- 

 medid saturate rufo-brunned, lateralibus flavescenti-albidis. 

 Irides rufo-brunnese. Rostrum pedesque rufescenti-cornei. 

 Longitudo corporis 9 T V unc, caudce 5. 

 Perdix spadicea, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 644. 4. Temm., Gall. Ind. 

 719. Tetrao spadiceus, Gmel., Syst. Nat. 1 . 759. 29. Le 

 Perdrix rouge de Madagascar, Sonn., Voy. Ind. 2. 1 69. Fran- 

 colin spadice, Temm., Pig. et Gall. 3. 315. Koku-tree of the 

 Mahrattas. 

 The male only of this bird, which is very common in the thick 

 brushwood of the Ghauts, appears to have been known to the 

 writers quoted. Colonel Sykes has had both sexes alive in his 

 possession for some time, and has no doubt they might be suc- 

 cessfully introduced into Europe. They are excellent eating. 

 Rarely take to wing or perch. Male has a harsh call of three 

 syllables, Kot-kut-ree, whence the Mahratta name ; female in 

 confinement uttered little notes like the twittering of a chicken. 

 A male in Col. Sykes's collection has three large spurs on one 

 leg, and two on the other. 



Genus Pier odes, Temm. Ganga. 



161. Pteroclesexustus, Temm., PI. Col. 354 & 360. Rock Pigeon of 



Europeans in the Dukhun. 



A very common bird in the Dukhun ; gregarious ; frequenting 

 open stony plains only. Characterized by the height at which 

 it flies, the rapidity of its flight, and its peculiar and piercing 

 note announcing its approach ere it can be well seen. It feeds 

 on a quadrangular hard small seed, which Colonel Sykes has 

 found in the stomach of only one other bird. 



Irides reddish brown. Sexes of the same size. The male has two 

 of the tail-feathers linear and elongated, which h not the case with 

 the female. Male, inclusive of tail, 14 x 2 a inches : tail 5 inches. 



