240 MR. D, G. ELLIOT ON THE PTEROCLlDtfi. [Feb. 19, 



b". Lower part of breast bordered with a 

 rather broad white band, succeeded 

 by a broad black one ; rest of under- 

 parts yellowish-white, irregularly 



barred with black 11. Pt.bicinctus. 



c" . Lower part of breast crossed by four 

 bands, first a maroon one, succeeded 

 by a white one, then a black, and 

 lastly a white one, alternating ; 

 wing-coverts with only one black 

 band, margined on both sides with 



white 12. Pt. quadricinctus. 



b'. Throat pale buff ; upper part of breast buff, 

 crossed with numerous narrow black 

 bars ; middle of breast uniform buff, 

 crossed in centre by a narrow black bar, 

 and another of the same hue on its 

 lower edge ; rest of underparts yellow- 

 ish-white, barred narrowly with black... 13. Pt. lichtensteini. 

 c. Black bar on forehead, divided in the centre by 

 a white spot ; throat and abdomen black ; black 

 bar crosses the breast, between which and the 

 abdomen is a broad white band 14. Pt. decoratus. 



1. Pterocles personatus. 



Pterocles personatus, Gould, Voy. ' Sulphur,' Zool. pi. 30 ( 1 843) ; 

 id. P. Z. S. (1843), p. 15 ; Grav, Gen. B. vol. iii. p. 519 (1845) ; 

 Reich. Syn. Av. Gallinae (1851),' pi. ccviii. figs. 1821, 1822. 



Hab. Madagascar. 



This is one of the largest species of the genus, readily recognized 

 from its relatives by the entirely black forehead and chin. M. 

 Grandidier informs me that it is very abundant in Madagascar, 

 where he has shot many, and that its flesh is palatable. In its 

 economy and habits it does not differ from the other members of the 

 genus. 



Male. Forehead and chin jet black. Lower part of throat and 

 sides of face buffy-white. Top of head, occiput, upper part of back 

 and breast dark isabelline or vinous. Middle of back dark brown, 

 greyish tinge on some feathers ; rest of back, rump, and upper tail- 

 coverts black, barred narrowly with light buff. Wings uniform, 

 like the breast ; a few of the greater coverts tipped with brownish 

 black, forming three irregular bars upon the wing. Inner secon- 

 daries dark grey, tipped with vinous. Primaries dark chocolate- 

 brown, with light edges on the inner webs. Abdomen, flanks, and 

 vent barred narrowly with black and rufous ; the feathers nearest 

 the breast barred with black and buffy white. Under tail-coverts 

 light chestnut. Tail brownish black, barred with white (these 

 broadest and most numerous on the outer webs), the feathers largely 

 tipped with white. Bill apparently bluish, with dark tips. Feet 

 black. 



Total length 13f inches ; wing 9 J, tail 5, bill along gape |. 

 Female. Throat and sides of face buffy white ; breast vinous. 

 Entire upper parts and wings pale buff, barred irregularly with black. 

 Primaries dark brown, with light edges and tips. Flanks and 



