692 PARSON-GULL—PARTRIDGE 
including the human voice.t In fine weather, as remarked by Mr. 
Layard (Lis, 1863, p. 243), this species has the habit of mounting 
aloft in parties of half a dozen or more and indulging in various 
aerial evolutions. Another merit it possesses is that of being an 
excellent bird for the table, but probably few in future will have 
the opportunity of tasting its good qualities. Dr. Gadow has de- 
PROSTHEMATODERA. (After Buller.) 
scribed (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1883, pp. 67-69, pl. xvi. figs. 6, 7) the 
peculiar lingual apparatus and mode of feeding of this bird. 
PARSON-GULL, a common name for the adult of either of the 
Black-backed GULLS, Larus marinus and fuscus, 
PARTRIDGE, in older English Pertriche, Scottish Patrick, 
Dutch Patrijs, French Perdria, all from the Latin Perdix, which 
word in sound does not imitate badly the call-note of this bird, so 
well known throughout the British Islands and the greater part of 
Europe” as to need no description or account of its habits here. 
The English name properly denotes the only species indigenous to 
Britain, often nowadays called the Grey Partridge? (to distinguish 
it from others, of which more presently), the Perdix cinerea of 
1 Sir W. Buller tells us how that having addressed a Maori assemblage in 
the course of a negotiation, at the end of his speech the chief's tame Tui ex- 
claimed ‘‘ Tita” (false), whereupon the dignitary remarked that the arguments 
were no doubt good, but they had failed to convince his bird. 
? More than one local form has been said to exist on the continent if not in 
Britain. One such, inhabiting the north-west of Spain, seems worthy of notice. 
It was described by Dr. Reichenow (Journ. fiir Orn. 1892, p. 226) as P. his- 
paniensis, which Dr. Sharpe (Zool. Rec. xxix. Aves, p. 27) has rendered P. his- 
paniolensis. 
* In India the name Grey Partridge is used for Ortygornis ponticerianus, 
which is perhaps a FRANCOLIN (cf. Jerdon, DB. Ind. iii. p. 569). 
