102 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



joint ; tail composed of fourteen feathers, half the length of 

 the wing, or rather more ; first flight-feather varying in length 

 between the seventh and tenth*; the fourth to the sixth forming 

 the angle of the wing ; throat covered with feathers ; plumage 

 of the flanks not barred, or, if barred, not contrasting with the 

 rest of the under-parts. Sexes usually similar, or nearly similar, 

 in plumage, but in a few species extremely different. Feet with- 

 out spurs, or with one or more pairs.! 



Although certain of the large number of species forming 

 the various groups of this genus differ considerably from one 

 another in several important points, and have in consequence 

 received a variety of generic or sub-generic names, I have 

 so far found it impossible to divide, the genus Francolinus into 

 minor sections, the less highly characterised species forming 

 intermediate links which prevent any of the proposed divisions 

 from being satisfactorily characterised. 



To assist in the identification of the forty-four species com- 

 prising this great genus, the various groups of allied forms have 

 been divided under several headings, characterised by promi- 

 nent differences in the marking of the plumage. 



A. A well-defined row of rufous or buff spots on both webs 

 of the primary flight-feathers (species i to 3, pp. 103-107). 



B. No well-defined row of rufous or buff spots on both 

 webs of the primary flight-feathers ; feathers of the back and 

 scapulars with white or buff shaft-stripes down the middle. 



a. Breast and flanks whitish buff, with uniform transverse 



bars of black (species 5 to 8, pp. 108-112). 



b. Breast and flanks not whitish buff, barred with black 



(species 9 to 26, pp. n 2-1 2 2). 



* In Francolinus sqtmmatus and F. sclmetti the first flight-feather is 

 slightly shorter than the tenth, so that the shape of the wing is somewhat 

 Pheasant-like, but the shortness of the tail at once distinguishes these birds 

 as Perdicince. 



t In many of the species, the females have no spurs, but it is not un- 

 common to find a blunt pair developed in old birds. 



