360 Mr. Vigors's Sketches in Ornithology. 



5. Cryptonyx Cambaiensis. 



(Perdix Cambaiensis, Lath* Cryptonyx rufus, Temm.J 



Crypt, corporis lateribus rufo-flavescentihus ; corpore fuscescente-rufo 

 transversim undulate ; tegminibus alarum Jlavescente-rufo terminatis : 

 suhtus pallidiore ; temporibus et guld plumis tectis. Temm, 



Longitude 6 pollices. 



Olim in Mus. Britannico, secundum D.D, Latham et Temminck. 



This fifth and last species of Cryptonyx must certainly be considered 

 doubtful ; inasmuch as the original specimen on which the description of 

 it was founded, can no longer be referred to. All such birds, as well as 

 those which are merely described in books, without any reference to a 

 collection where the type of the species may be consulted, or to an au- 

 thentick plate of it, which by a superiour artist is nearly equal in point 

 of authority to the typical specimen itself, should ever be considered as 

 unsubstantial materials for the Ornithologist to work upon. In the sum- 

 ming up of the species of a group they must be referred to, but as of no 

 value. I cannot, however, agree with a late opinion of M. Temminck, 

 who, in the description of the 447th plate of his " Planches Colorizes," 

 has not only decided on erasing the Perdix Cambaiensis of Dr. Latham 

 from the genus Cryptonyx, but on identifying that species with a rather 

 abundant inhabitant of the Eastern Continent of India. He asserts that 

 Dr. Latham's specimen, the same which he himself examined and re- 

 described, was mutilated, and at the same time was the young male of the 

 bird in his plate, which is a true Partridge. Now against this assertion, 

 which after such an interval, and under such circumstances, can be pro- 

 noimced at best but a conjecture, we have the positive testimony of Dr. 

 Latham that his Perd. Cambaiensis had the character of the digitus pos~ 

 ticus muticus, i. e. was in fact a Cryptonyx ; we have again the subsequent 



* The following is the description given by Dr. Latham of this bird; the 

 description in the text is that which M. Temminck has given of it in his " Hii- 

 " toire des Gallinaces." 



P. rufo Jlavescens nebulis saturatioribus, digito postico mutico. 



Habitat in India, regno Guzurat. — 6 pollices longa. 



Rostrum validum, breve, pallidum : corpus totum rufo-flavescens subttis pal- 

 lidius, pennis omnibus coloribus saturatioribus nebulosis: pedes flavi, digito 

 postico mutico. — Mus. Brit. 



