316 GAME-BIBDS OF INDIA 



Genus SYRRHAPTES. 



The genus Sijrrhaptcs contains two species onlj', of which one 

 comes within Indian Hmits. This can be at once distinguished from 

 all other sand-grouse by its greater size — its wing is always over 

 9 inches — by the want of a hallux or hind-toe, and by its tarsi being 

 feathered all over, i.e., behind as well as in front, and by the upper 

 surface of its toes also being feathered. 



It has the central tail-feathers elongated as in Pteroclurus, and 

 the wings are long and strongly pointed. In general appearance it 

 is a typical sand-grouse. 



The genus is confined to Central Asia as a resident, but there are 

 periodical rushes of SyrrJiaptes paradoxus into Europe even as far as 

 Great Britain. 



SYRRHAPTES TIBETANUS. 

 THE TIBETAN SAND-GROUSE. 



Syrrhaptes tibetanus, Gould, P. Z. S. p. 92, 1850 (Ladakh in Tibet) ; id 

 B. of Asia, vi, pi. 61 ; Blanford, J. A. S. B. xli, part 2, p. 71 ; Hume 

 d Hend. Lahore to Yark. p. 279 ; Hume, S. F. vii, pp. 162, 425 ; id. 

 Cat. No. 802 ; Hume d Marsh. Game-B. i, p. 43 ; Sharpe, Yark. Miss. 

 Aves, p. 119 ; Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. M. xxii, p. 5 ; Blanford, Avifauna 

 B. I. iv, p. 63 ; Oates, Game-B. i, p. 18 ; Sharpe, Hand-L. i, p. 50 ; 

 Oates, Cat. Eggs B. M. i, p. 75 ; Ogilvie-Grant, Game-B. i, p. 6 ; 

 Ward, J. B. N. H. S. xvii, p. 944 ; Le Mess. Game-B. p. 53 ; Bailey, 

 J. B. N. H. S. xxi, p. 179 ; Stuart Baker, ibid, xxiii, p. 190 ; Hartert, 

 Vog. Pal. p. 1516 (1920). 



Vernacular Names. Kuk, Kaling, Ladak ; Kaka lingma, Kakali, 

 Tibet. 



Description. Adult Male. — Head from forehead to nape white 

 finely barred with black, the forehead more streaked than barred. 



