151- 



Genus Francolinus, Steph. Francolin, 



159. Francolinus Ponticerianus, Steph., 1 1. 321, Perdix Po7iticeri- 

 ana, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2.649. 18. Temm., PI. Col. 213. 

 Ferruginous and Grey Francolin. Teetur of the Mahrattas, 

 Called a partridge in the Dukhun, where it is one of the most 

 common birds, frequenting gardens and cultivated lands. 

 hides intense red brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 14 inches : 

 tail 3x^0^ inches. Not met with in the Ghauts, unless in well cul- 

 tivated valleys, and not at all on the mountains. Roosts on 

 trees ; and Colonel Sykes has on more than one occasion shot 

 them on trees during the daytime ; but this is a rare occurrence. 

 1 60. Francolinus spadiceus. Franc, castaneus, supra fusco tinctuSf 

 plumarum margiidbus dilutioribus ; capite, collo, venire, crisso, 

 tegminibusqne caudce inferioribus fusco-brunneis ; vertice ?{i- 

 grescenti-brunneo ; plumarum ventris crissique rhachibus elan- 

 gatis, acutis. 

 Foem. Supi-a nigro castaneoque varius ; pectoris ahdominisque 



pluniis castaiieis ad apices lunuld lata nigra notatis. 

 Pullus. Fusco-ferrugineus, vittis tribtis dorsalibus latis, inter- 

 viediil saturate rufo-brunned, lateralibusflavescenti-albidis. 

 Irides rufo-brunnese. Rostrum pedesque rufescenti-cornei. 

 Longitudo corporis 9^V unc, cauda: 5. 

 Perdix spadicea, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 644. 4. Temm., Gall. Ind. 

 719. Tetrao spadiceus, Gmel., Syst, Nat. J . 759. 29. Le 

 Perdrix rouge de Madagascar, Sonn., Voy. Ind. 2. 1 69. Fran- 

 cfdin spadice, Temm., Pig. et Gall. 3. 315. Koku-tree of the 

 Mahrattas. 

 The male only of this bird, which is very common in the thick 

 brushwood of the Ghauts, appears to have been known to the 

 writers quoted. Colonel Sykes has had both sexes alive in his 

 pijssession for some time, and has no doubt they might be suc- 

 cessfully introduced into Europe. They are excellent eating. 

 Rarely take to wing or perch. Male has a harsh call of three 

 syllables, Kot-kut-ree, whence the Mahratta name ; female in 

 confinement uttered little notes like the twittering of a chicken. 

 A male in Col. Sykes's collection has three large spurs on one 

 leg, and two on the other. 



Genus Pterocles, Temm. Ganga. 



161. Pterocles exuslus, Temm., PI. Col. 354 & 360. Rock Pigeon oi 

 Europeans in the Dukhun. 



A very common bird in the Dukhun ; gregarious ; frequenting 

 open stony plains only. Characterized by the height at which 

 it flies, the rapidity of its flight, and its peculiar and piercing- 

 note announcing its approach ere it can be well seen. It feeds 

 on a (juadrangular hard small seed, which Colonel Sykes has 

 found in the stomach of only one other bird. 



Irides reddish brown. Sexes of the same size. The male has two 

 of the tail-feathers linear and elongated, which is not the case with 

 the female. Male, inclusive of tail, 14 rtr inches : tail 5 inches. 



