236 MR. O. G. ELLIOT ON THE PTEROCLID^. [Feb. 19, 



and the entire absence of a hind toe. One character by which 

 Syrrhaptes was formerly distinguished was the extremely lengthened 

 filamentous first primary observed in S. paradoxus ; but since the 

 discovery of the second species, which does not possess a similar 

 formation, this peculiarity will not answer as a means of generic 

 distinction. Both species of Syrrhaptes have the median rectrices 

 much lengthened beyond the rest ; but as this also occurs with 

 several species of Pterocles, it cannot be regarded as of generic 

 importance. 



Genera. 



But few generic terms fortunately have been proposed for these 

 birds. Usually placed by the older authors, who were misled by 

 their feathered tarsi, in Tetrao, they were first separated from 

 the Grouse by Temminck, who, in 18 15 1 , created for them the term 

 Pterocles. In 1811 Illiger proposed Syrrhaptes for the Tetrao 

 paradoxa of Pallas, separating it from the other species of the 

 family. In 1812 Fischer instituted the term Nematura for the 

 same bird, followed in 1816 by Vieillot with Heteraclitus, and also 

 with (Enas for the other members of the family. Lastly Bona- 

 parte, in 1856, created the term Pteroclurus. Two generic forms 

 are evidently represented among the Pteroolidse, for which the terms 

 Syrrhaptes, of Illiger, to contain the two species S. paradoxus and 

 S. thibetanus, and Pterocles of Temminck to include all the rest of 

 the family, have the claim of priority, and are amply sufficient for 

 the recognition of the generic divisions now existing. In the 

 osteology of the two genera there are considerable differences obser- 

 vable, as has been well shown by Mr. Parker, some of which are the 

 following : — The skull of Syrrhaptes is weaker, less gallinaceous, 

 and more pigeon-like than that of Pterocles ; the upper frontal 

 region is narrower between the eyes, and the alse of the ethmoid are 

 less swollen between the crura of the nasal. Iu Pterocles the bones 

 of the face are as strong as is observed in a Pigeon ; the lower 

 jaw is stronger than in Syrrhaptes, and bends further back ; the 

 postorbital and squamosal processes are stronger, as is also the 

 malar arch ; in some characters of the skull and skeleton they are 

 nearly alike. Pterocles has the scapula more like that of a Grouse, 

 and also possesses one more caudal vertebra than Syrrhaptes, and the 

 styliform and sacral ribs have no appendage ; but both genera have 

 a rudiment attached to the last hsemapophysis. The sternum is 

 stronger, with the episternum and hyosternal processes as in Syr- 

 rhaptes ; but the external hyposternal processes are shorter. 



Of fossil remains of Pteroclidse but two tarso-metatarsal bones have 

 been found, which have been described by Prof. A. Milne-Edwards, in 

 his great work ' Les Oiseaux Fossiles,' as Pterocles sepultus. By the 

 kindness of their possessor I have had an opportunity of examining 



1 In his ' Manuel d'Ornitliologie ' (1820), 2nd part, p. 474, in a footnote, 

 Temminck states that he published an account of these birds under the generic 

 name of Pterocles in 1801). I have not been able to find this publication, nor 

 any record of it, and 1815 is the earliest date I can assign to the genus. 



