155 



162. Pterocles quadricinctus, Temni., (iall. 3. 252. Painted Rock 



Pigeon of the Dukhun. 

 Rare, and met with only in pairs, on open ground at the foot of 

 hills, hides reddish brown. Sexes of' the same size. Length, 

 inclusive of tail, 13^ inches : tail 3 inches. 



Genus Hemipodiiis. 



163. He.mipodim pugnax, Temm., PI. Col. 60. fig. 2. 



Common in the Dukhun, and called the Bustard Quail by Eu- 

 ropeans. Its reputed pugnacious qualities are not known. 

 Solitary or in pairs, and mostly found in Chillee fields {Cap- 

 sicum unniium). hides light yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 

 7-rV inches: tail 1 ,V inch. Habits, tongue and internal or- 

 ganization of Coturnix textilis. M. Temminck describes the fe- 

 male as differing in plumage from the male ; but in Colonel 

 Sykes's specimens the sexes are exactly alike. 

 16-1. Hemipodius Taigoou. Hem. supra castaneus, plumis stramineo 

 viarginatis, nigroque iindulatim fasciatis ; tegminibus alarum 

 stramiueis nigro fasciatis ; remigidns fuscis ; viento guldque 

 albis ; pectore nigra alboque fasciato ; ventre crissoque dilute 

 ferrugineis. 



hides pallide flavae. Rostrum nigrescens. Longitudo cor- 

 poris 4tV unc, caudce I-rV- 

 Closely resembles the female of Hem. pugnax as described by M. 

 Temminck, but the bill is longer and more slender, and Colonel 

 Sykes has specimens of both sexes. Sexes alike, 

 1 65. Hemipodius Dussumier, Temm., PI. Col. Called the Button Quail 

 by Europeans. 

 Colonel Sykes never met with this bird otherwise than solitary : 

 frequents thick grass or pulse fields, and sits so close as to ex- 

 pose itself to be trod upon. Flight so abrupt and short, tliat 

 ere the gun is well up to the shoulder, the bird is down again. 

 Irides straw-yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 5 ,V inches : tail 

 IvV inches. 



Fam. Struthionidce , Vigors. — Genus Otis, Linn. Bustard. 



166. Otis nigriceps, Gould's Cent. Himal. Birds. 



Tills noble bird is so common in the Dukhun, that one gentleman 

 has shot nearly a thousand. Gregarious. Egg, a jjerfect 

 oval, brown olive, with obscure blotches of darker brown olive. 

 Length 3tV inches, diameter 2^'^ inches. One only found in 

 a hole in the earth on the open plain, and that considerably ad- 

 vanced in the process of incubation. Irides deep brown. Length, 

 male, inclusive of tail, 56| inches : tail ] 3^ inches. Female 4 1 i 

 inches, inclusive of tail of IQi inches. Male supplied with the 

 remarkable gular pouch common to the Otis tarda. 



167. Otis fl lva. Ot. supra cacaotico-brunnea, plumis Jidvo mar- 



ginatis variegatisque ; tegminibus alarum, collo, pectoreque 

 Julvis, punclis lincisve brunueis parol- noiatis ; ventre, tiropijgio, 

 Jhnoribus, tegminibusquc caudce i)i/hioribus Jidvo-albis ; teg- 



