6 LIEUT.-COLONEL SYKES ON THE 
plumage is seen in the Woodpeckers, although the species are from widely separated 
countries ; and the Toucans are also remarkable for prevailing colours. 
The above reflections originated in experiencing difficulties in the arrangement of my 
Birds of the Tetraonide,—difficulties which I have shown that even M. Temminck’s able 
elucidation of this family did not enable me to overcome. Naturalists are under great 
obligations to this distinguished person for the views he has promulgated in different 
branches of zoology ; but with his acute mind and candour he cannot fail to admit that 
our daily increasing knowledge will produce trifling modifications in those views, ren- 
dering them more defined, perspicuous, and conclusive. I will endeavour to illustrate 
this in some short notices of the genera of his family Tetrao, which appears to afford 
proof of the truth of the observations of the Rev. L. Jenyns, in his remarks on genera 
and subgenera!, that in raising subgenera to the rank of genera, sufficient attention should 
be paid to the necessity for the different groups having an equivalent or equal value. 
In M. Temminck’s family Tetrao, Cotwrniz is made as substantive a genus as Perdiz? : 
yet, setting aside difference of size and some trifling differences of habits in some of the 
species of Quails, I do not know any positive and technical characters applicable to all 
the species, by which they may be distinguished from the Partridges ; yet the eye will do 
at once that in which language fails. The Francolins again are not generically separated 
from the Partridges : yet they have characters (excluding the Francolinus Ponticerianus, 
which is decidedly a Partridge, although it does occasionally perch and has spurs), in 
their slenderer form, longer legs and tail, and particularly in their habits, which afford 
distinctions I think more legitimate than those used to separate Coturnix from Perdia. 
Lagopus has been separated from Tetrao by Ray, Vieillot, and Dr. Leach; but M. Tem- 
minck barely sections it from the latter genus. 
Pterocles is a valid genus ; but from its form, habits, and partly from its organization, 
I am strongly induced to believe that its natural position is between the Ptarmigans and 
Pigeons proper. The Heteroclite, it appears to me, will prove a species of Pterocles, with 
hirsute feet and toes arising from the climate it inhabits. M. Temminck only sections 
the Colins of the New World from the Partridges ; but with the exception of the Orty« 
Temmincku (Perdix cristata, Lath.), which has the air and size of a genuine Quail, I 
agree with Mr. Stephens, who has established the genus Ortyz, that it has a just claim 
to the distinction. The genera Cryptonyx, Tinamus, and Hemipodius, have characters 
too marked to render questionable their separation from the ancient genus Tetrao: but 
to me it appears matter of doubt whether the last genus, from its form, manners, and 
habits, might not merge into the genus Otis; or at least might be removed to the 
family Struthionide, and be placed immediately after Otis. Of the genus Hemipodius 
it will be necessary to say a few words. 
M. Temminck commences his notice of it with a sentence which is likely to give a 
' Proceedings of the British Association in 1833, p. 441, 
* In his ‘Manuel d’Ornithologie,’ however, it is deprived of its honours. 
