124 



PUASIANIDJE. 



true Gallinae. but they were described by Kitchen Parker in the 

 Tinamous anH in Psopliia. These bones were found by Mr. Wood- 

 Mason in Arboi'icola torqueola, 

 A. atriyularis, A. rujigularis, and 

 A. intermedia, and from MS. notes 

 in his handwriting on the labels 

 of two specimens of A. brunnei- 

 pectas collected by Mr. Limborg in 

 Tenasserim, formerly in the Tweed- 

 dale ^Collection, and now in the 

 British Museum, I find that he 

 ascertained the presence of the 

 superorbital ossicles in that species 

 and their absence in the Malayan 

 A. cJiarltoni. The latter, with its 

 ally A. chloropus, should conse- 

 quently be plated in a distinct 

 genus. 



About 15 species are known, 

 ranging from the Himalayas to 



Fig. 2G. 



Skull of A. rvfgularis. 

 s.o, superorbital bones. 



Borneo and Java, and probably to the Philippines. None are 

 found in the Indian Peninsula or Ceylon, but six occur in the 

 Himalayas, Assam lianges, and Burma. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Feathers of flanks with chestnut borders. 

 a'. Breast g'rey. 



". Crown chestnut A. torqueola <$ , p. 125. 



a". Crown olive-brown with black spots. 

 a 3 . Chin and throat rufous with black 



spots A. rvfigularis, p. 126. 



b\ Chin and throat black, fore neck 



rufous , A. intermedia, p. 127. 



b'. Breast brownish ; crown olive-brown 



with black spots A. torqueola , p. 12o. 



c' . Breast chestnut ; throat paler ; a white 



gorget A. mandellii, p. 128. 



b. No chestnut on flanks. 



d' . Breast grey A. atrigularis, p. 127. 



e'. Breast pale brown A. brunneipectusj p. 128. 



The habits of all the species are similar. They inhabit hill 

 forests, are usually solitary or in pairs, but are mefc with in coveys 

 at times ; probably, as with other partridges, the old and young 

 associate for a time, after the latter are full grown. They keep 

 much to thick undergrowth, especially near hill-streams, and are 

 rarely flushed or even seen ; they feed on seeds and insects and 

 drink daily. When flushed their flight is rapid but short ; they 

 occasionally perch. Their call is a low soft whistle, single or 

 double. But little is known of their nidification and eggs, except 

 that the latter are generally white and 6 to 8 in number, placed 

 in slight depressions on the ground under trees. 



