SAND-GROUSE. 



PTEROCLETES. 



31 



PTE-ROOLIBJL. 



Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Pallas).* 

 PALLAS' S SAND-GROUSE. 



Syrrhaptes, Illiger.\ — 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 feathers, 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 Gadow 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, Reise Russ. Reichs, ii., App. p. 712, Tab. F. 

 (1773). 



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



