112 Lloyd's natural history. 



THE AMERICAN PARTRIDGES AND QUAILS. 

 SUB-FAMILY ODONTOPHORIN^. 



The following genera of American Partridges and Quails 

 are distinguished from all the Fhasia^iidcE ^]:Q.w\o\is\y described 

 by having the cutting edge of the lower mandible serrated, 

 and together form the Sub-family OdontophorijK^ (see vol. i. p. 

 78). They vary considerably in size, some, such as Dendrortyx^ 

 being as large as the Common Partridge or slightly larger, 

 while others are smaller than the Common Quail. In some 

 instances the tooth-like process on the lower mandible is less 

 distinct, but in the great majority of species it is easily recog- 

 nised. 



THE LONG-TAILED AMERICAN PARTRIDGES. GENUS 

 DENDRORTYX. 



Dendrortyx, Gould, Monogr. Odontoph. pi. 20 in pt. i. (1844); 

 Introd. p. 20 (1850). 



Type, Z>. mac rums (J. & S.). 



Plumage alike in both sexes. 



A short crest ; a naked space round the eye. 



First primary flight-feather much shorter than the tenth; fifth 

 longest. 



Tail as long, or nearly as long as the wing, wedge-shaped, 

 composed of twelve feathers, the middle pair being much longer 

 than the outer pair. 



Tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw. 



Bill very stout and short. 



Three rather large species about the size of the common 

 Grey Partridge are known. 



I. THE LONG-TAILED PARTRIDGE. DENDRORTYX .MACRORUS. 



Ortyx mac/oura, Jard. and Sclb. 111. Orn. i. text to pi. 38 

 and pi. 49 (1825-39). 



