SAND-GROUSE. 



PTEROCLETES. 



31 



PTEUOCLIDJL. 





V. 



Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Pallas).* 

 PALLAS'S SAND-GEOUSE. 



Syrrhaptes, IlUfjer.\ — Bill small, gradually decurved from the base to the 

 point ; nostrils basal, hidden in the feathers ; wings very long, pointed, the 

 first primary longest ; tail, of sixteen feather.", cuneate ; the two central ones 

 long and tapering ; tarsi very short and strong, covered with downy feathers to 

 the toes, which are three in number, all in front, and united by a membrane as 

 far as the claws ; hallux obsolete ; soles rugous ; claws broad and obtuse. 



In the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' 1882, pp. 

 312-332, Dr. Hans Gaclow has recently published the 

 results of a careful examination into the affinities of the 

 Pteroclidce, with special reference to the opinion expressed 



* Tetrao paradoxa, Pallas, Rcise Russ. Reichs, ii., App. p. 712, Tab. V. 

 (1773). 



t lUiger, Prodromus, p. 243 (1811). 



