12. MICKOPEKDIX. 203 



1. Microperdix erythrorhyncha. 



Coluniix erytlirorhynclia, fSi/kes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 153 [Valley of 

 Karli, N. Konkan] ; Grai/, III. Lid. Zool. ii. pi. 44. fig. 2 (1834) ; 

 Sijkes, Trans. Zool. Soc. ii. p. 16, pi. i. (1841) ; Gray, List of B. 

 pt.iii. Gall. p. 40 (1844) ; id. Gen. B. iii. p. 507 (1840). 



Perdix erythrorhyncha, Bhjth, J. A. S. Beng. xi. p. 808 (1842) 

 [Southern India]. 



Perdicula erythrorh^Ticha, Bonap. C. R. xlii. p. 881 (1856); Jerd. 

 B. Lid. iii. p. 584'(1863) ; Bulffer, P. Z. S. 1806, p. 571 [Welling- 

 ton, Nilghiris] ; Bli/th, Ibis, 1867, p. 160 ; Blanf. Ibis, 18G7, p. 464 

 [Siroucha] ; JEhces, Ibis, 1870, p. 528 [Cardamum Hills, Travan- 

 core] ; Fairb. Sir. F. v. p. 409 (1877) [Kokaikanal, Palanai Hills] ; 

 Davidson ^- Wend. Sir. F. vii. p. 87 (1878) [Sholapur, Poona, 

 Satara Hills]. 



Microperdix erythrorhyncha, Gould, B. Asia, vii. pi. 3 (1862) ; 

 Hume, Npsts'i^ E. Lid. B. p. 548 (1873) ; Fairb. Sir. F. iy. p. 202 

 (1876) [Khandala, Mahableshwar, &c.]. 



Coturnix (Microperdix) erytlu-orhyncha, Gray, List GallincB Brit. 

 Mus. p. (B (1867); id. Hand-l. B. ii. p. 269 (1870). 



Microperdix ervthrorhyuchus, Hume ^- Marsh. Game B. Ind. ii. p. 123, 

 pi. (1879) ; 'Butler, Str. F. ix. p. 423 (1880) [Bombay] ; id. Cat. 

 B. S. Bombay, p. 69 (1880) ; Davison, Str. F. x. p. 411 (1883) 

 [Nilg-hiris, Wynaad, Mysore]; Tern/, Str. F. x. p. 479 (1887) 

 [Palanai Hills] ; Gates, "ed. Humes Nests ^- E. Ind. B. iii. p. 442 

 (1890). 



Adult male. Top of the head black, except the middle of the 

 occiput, which, like the nape and rest of the upper parts, is earthy 

 brown ; a white band between the eyes is continued backwards 

 down each side of the head and forms a U-shapcd white mark ; the 

 feathers of the back, rump, and upper tail-coyerts have a rounded 

 black subterminal spot narrowly circumscribed with buff ; the wing- 

 coverts and scapulars, which arc rather warmer brown than the 

 back, have narrow white shaft-stripes, buff cross-bars, and are 

 mostly blotched with black near the extremity of the inner web ; 

 flight- feathers blackish, the outer four (primaries) margined a ad the 

 rest barred and mottled with rufous buff. Forehead, lores, super- 

 ciliary stripe, sides of face, feathers round the gape and on the chin 

 black ; ear-coverts dark brown ; throat white, irregularly margined 

 below with black ; neck and chest greyish brown, washed with 

 rufous and gradually shading into rufous chestnut on the rest of the 

 underparts ; the feathers of the neck and chest are usually more or 

 less spotted with black like those of the back, but on the sides, flanks, 

 and under tail coverts the spots are very much larger and edged 

 with whiti.sh. Tail black, with narrow buff or pale rufous bars. 

 Iris brown ; bill, legs, and feet rich red. Tarsi without spurs. 

 Total length 7 inches, wing 3-4, tail 1*9, tarsus 1. 



In immature males the forehead, superciliary stripes, sides of the 

 head, chin, and throat arc white washed with rufous, and some of 

 the feathers of the mantle and chest have pale buff shaft-stripes ; 

 otherwise the plumage resembles that of the adult. 



Adult female. Like the adult male, but the forehead, lores, super- 

 ciliary stripe, sides of the head, chin, and throat are dull rufous 



