127 



PERDICIN.E. 



PARTRIDGES, GROUSE, AND ALLIED GENERA, 



The beautiful family of the Perdicinae, represented in Britain 

 by the Red Partridge, the Grey Partridge, the Virginian Colin, 

 the Quail, the Black Grouse, and the Brown and Grey Ptar- 

 migans, is composed of birds varying in size from that of a 

 Sparrow or Corn Bunting to that of a Turkey, but presenting a 

 general similarity by which they are readily distinguished by the 

 most untheoretical observers as belonging to one and the same 

 group. The Partridges being even by the supporters of our 

 newest and most fashionable system considered as forming 

 the " t}^ical " family or genus, it is obviously inconsistent to 

 deny them the honour of giving name to this group, which, 

 for reasons similar to those that have given rise to the idea of 

 their systematic preeminence, I have elevated to the dignity 

 due to them. Some of the Grouse are more or less allied 

 to the Turkeys, Peacocks, and Pheasants; the Partridges 

 to the latter, the Grouse, and the genus Pterocles, which 

 in its turn indicates an affinity to the Pigeons ; but both 

 groups are so nearly allied, and so run into each other, that 

 Linnaeus considered then as forming a single genus. It is very 

 doubtful if the Tetrao paradoxus of the older authors, the Syr- 

 rhaptes of Temminck, belong to the Rasores. It seems to me 

 to be much more allied to the Gemitores ; but its place can be 

 determined only by reference to its digestive organs. 



The birds composing this family are generally robust, having 

 the body full and rather heavy, the neck short or of moderate 

 length, the head rather small and oblong, the feet short and stout. 

 The bill, Figs. 41, 44, 46, 47, is short, strong, and slightly curv- 

 ed ; the upper mandible with its dorsal outline at first straight. 



