294 REPORT ON ZOOLOGY, MDCCCXLIV. 



Lagopus ferruyineus is a new Mexican species, established by Fraser, in 

 ' Aim. of Nat. Hist.' xiii, p. 452. 



From specimens sent by Karelin from Altai, Brandt has now assured 

 himself that Perdix (Megaloperdias) Nic/elli, truly belongs to the Russian 

 Fauna. (Vid. Bullet de la Classe phys. math, de 1'Acad. de Petersb. iii, 

 p. 188.) Brandt at the same time gives the diagnoses of the three species 

 of Meyaloperdix, viz. M. altaica, Nigelli and caucasica. 



A species closely related to Perdix Heyi is characterized by Fraser, in the 

 ' Ann. of Nat. Hist.' xiii, p. 305, as Perdix Bonhami ; it comes from Teheran, 

 in Persia. He also observes that Tetraogallus (MegaloperMx) Nigelli has 

 been sent from the same locality. 



A monograph of the Ortyginse or Partridges of America, by J. Gould, 

 London, 1S44. Under this title Gould announces a monography of the 

 genus or rather sub-genus Ortyx, to appear in three parts, each at 2 10s., 

 with ten plates, so that the whole is to cost no less than 7 10$. sterling, 

 and will exhibit once again species that have been figured long ago. Now, 

 seeing how much costly or luxurious works are increasing, and editions of 

 them, that might be applied to more useful purposes, unnecessarily enlarged, 

 there will be soon nothing left for the scientific Ornithologist than to com- 

 pletely ignore such picture-books, and leave them to the dilettanti, for whom 

 they have been "par excellence" prepared. 



Remarks upon the different kinds of Pheasants belonging to the Russian 

 Fauna have been published by Brandt, in the ' Bullet de la Classe phys. 

 math, de Petersb.' iii, p. 49. Three species are recorded, Phasiamis colchi- 

 cus, monyolicus and albotorquatus, Bonn. (Ph. torquatus, Temrn.) The 

 second of these is established by Brandt ; but it has been already described 

 by Pallas, and that indeed as Varietas monyolica of Ph. colcldcus. 



The muscles which move the tail and caudal plume-feathers are explained 

 by Heming, in the 'Ann. of Nat. Hist.' xiv, p. 357. 



Two specimens of Hemipodius traclii/dromws were killed on October 29th, 

 1844. (Ibid. p. 460.) 



CURSORES. 



Upon Dinornis, an extinct genus of three-toed 

 Struthious birds, with description of the osseous remains of 

 five species that formerly existed in New Zealand. By 

 Richard Owen. (Transact, of the Zool. Soc. of London, vol. 

 iii, Part 3, p. 235-275, with 18-30 plates.) 



