151' 



Genus Francolimts, Steph. Francoiin. 



159. Francolinus Ponticerianus, Steph., 11. 321. Perdiv Pojiticeri' 



ana, Lath., Ind. Otn. 2. 649. 18. Temm., PI. Col. 213. 



Ferruginoits and Greij Francoiin. Teelur of the Mahrattas, 

 Called a partridge in the Dukhun, where it is one of the roost 

 common birds, frequenting gardens and cultivated lands. 

 Irides intense red brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 14 inches : 

 tail 3VV inches. Not met with in the Ghauts, unless in well cul- 

 tivated valleys, and not at all on the mountains. Roosts on 

 trees ; and Colonel Sykes has on more timn one occasion shot 

 them on trees during the daytime ; but this is a rare occurrence. 



160. Francolinus spadiceus. Franc. castaneus, suprafusco tinctus, 



plumarum marginibus dilutioribus ; capite, colio, venire, crisso, 

 tegminibusęue caudce inferioribus fiisco-brunneis ; vertice ni- 

 grescenli-brunneo ; plumarum ventris crissiąue rhachihus elon- 

 gatis, acutis. 

 Fcem. Supra nigro castaneoque varius; pectoris abdominiscue 



plumis castaneis ad apices lunuld latd nigrd notatis. 

 Pūlius. Fusco-ferrugineus, viltis fribus dorsalibus latis, inter- 

 medid saturotl rufo-brunned, lateralibus flavescenti-albidis. 

 Irides rufo-brunneae. Rosirum pedesą\\& rufescenti-cornei. 

 Longitudo corporis 9tV unc, caudcE 5. 

 Perdix spadicea, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 644. 4. Temm., Gali. Ind. 

 719. Tetrao spadiceus, Gmel., Syst. Nat. 1 . 759. 29. Le 

 Perdrix rouge de Mudagascar, Sonn., Voy. Ind. 2. 1 69. Fran- 

 coiin spadice, Temm., Pig. et Gali. 3. 315. Koku-tree of the 

 Mahrattas. 

 The malė only of this bird, which is very common in the thick 

 brushwood of the Ghauts, appears to have been knovvn to the 

 vvriters ąuoted. Colonel Sykes has had both sexes alive in his 

 pussession for some time, and has no doubt they might be suc- 

 cessfully introduced into Europe. They are excellent eating. 

 Rarely take to vving or perch. Malė has a liaish call of three 

 syllables, Kot-kut-ree, whence the Mahratta name ; female in 

 confinement uttered little notes likę the twittering of a chicken. 

 A malė in Col. Sykes 's coUection has three laige spurs on one 

 leg, and two on the other. 



Genus Pterocles, Temm. Gangą. 



161. Pterocles exustus, Temm., PI. Col. 354 & 360. RockPigeonoi 



Europeans in the Dukhun. 



A very common bird in the Dukhun ; gregarious ; frequenting 

 open Stony plains only. Characterized by the height at which 

 it fiies, the rapidity of its flight, and its peculiar and piercing 

 note announcing its approach ere it can be \vell seen. It feeds 

 on a quadrangular hard small seed, which Colonel Sykes has 

 found in the stomach of only one other bird. 



Irides reddish brown. Sexes of the šame size. The malė has two 

 ofthe tail-feathers linearand elongated,which isnot thecasevvith 

 the female. Malė, inclusive of tail, 14 fo- inches : tail 5 inches. 



