93 



PERDIX, BRISSON. 



The partridges appeal- to form one point of con- 

 nection between the present family and that wmch 

 formed the subject of our last volume, through the 

 guinea-fowl. There are many resemblances in their 

 habits and dispositions, harsh cry, and in numerous 

 instances the spotted plumage. The Perdix da- 

 mater of Temminck may perhaps be mentioned as 

 one of the birds forming this passage. It is remark- 

 able for its loud harsh cry, which, says Temminck, 

 like the guinea-fowl, it delights incessantly to repeat, 

 particularly at daybreak and dusk, when the broods 

 assemble to perch on the trees and woods which 

 overhang the rivers. It is in many ways, says the 

 same author, connected with our pintadoes, and may 

 one day form an addition to our poultry-yard, the 

 Cape colonists having already succeeded in rearing 

 them in captivity. 



The genus Perdix was established by Brisson, 

 taking the common European partridge as typical, 

 but it was made to contain an assemblage of birds, 

 some of which will not even rank among the family. 

 The quails and the strong-billed American partridges 

 have been separated by modern systematists. Ste- 

 phens made another separation in the Francolins with 



