Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant on the Genus Coturnix. 167 



coturnix, where the species has been frequently figured. The 

 generic characters, a key to the species, and their geograpliical 

 distribution are also given, together with a few notes which 

 it is hoped may prove useful to other ornithologists studying 

 this group of Gallinse. 



Coturnix *. 



Tail short, soft, and rounded, covered by the upper tail- 

 coverts, and composed of ten or twelve tail-feathers. 



First primary equal to the third and slightly shorter than 

 the second, which is the longest quill ; tenth primary very 

 short. 



Axillaries long and white. 



Key to the Species f. 



I. Outer web of the primaries Avith irregular bars 



and marks of buff. 



A. Chin and throat white, with a black band 



commencing on the chin and passing down 



the middle of the throat C. cotiinii.r, S • 



B. Chin and throat bright rufous-chestnut, with 



the black band situated as above C. capensis, S • 



C. Chin and throat dull brick-red, without any- 



black markings C.Japunica, S . 



D. Feathers on the chin and sides of the 



throat white, short and rounded. No 

 black band down the middle of the throat. 



a. Size larger. Wing ca. 4-2 C. coturnix, $ . 



b. Size smaller. Wing ca. 3-8 C. capensis, $ . 



E. Feathers on the chin and sides of the throat 



elongate and lanceolate, usually margined 

 on one or both webs with rufous. No 

 black band down the middle of the throat. C.japonica, 5 • 



II. Outer web of the primaries uniform brown, 



not barred or marked with buff. 



* The genus Synoicus appears to be very doubtfully distinct from 

 Cotuniijo ; so far as I can see, the only tangible character by which the 

 two can possibly be distinguished is found in the axillaries, which are 

 shorter and greyer in the former. I think it highly probable that Synoicus 

 will have to be merged in Coturnix. 



t Coturnix Emini, S , recently described by Reichenow (Allg. doutsch. 

 om. Ges, Berlin, Bericht x. (7th Dec. 1801), p. 3), is undoubtedly the 

 male of Exralfnrforin AdanxoJii, ^'err. 



