1862.] ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF PTEROCLES, ETC. 253 
in the same garden, and brought to me; it measured 4 feet 6 inches 
in length. 
«These Snakes were formerly designated ‘ Cobra Manil’ by the 
Portuguese, in consequence of their bite proving as rapidly fatal as 
that of the Cobra. The word Manil is a corruption of the Tamil word 
Mannunippamhoo, which literally means Earth-eating Snake, and is 
the name given by the natives to the Uropeltis grandis, commonly 
termed ‘ Double-headed’ Snake, and which they believe lives entirely 
on earth, from its being frequently found underground.” 
Mr. W. K. Parker read the following abstract of a Memoir on 
the Osteology of the genera Pterocles, Syrrhaptes, Hemipodius, and 
Tinamus, intended for publication in the Society’s ‘ Transactions :’? — 
«The classification of the gallinaceous birds would be easy enough 
if it were not for certain outliers, which refuse to conform to that 
particular plan of structure with which we are all so familiar in that 
very convenient and natural type of the group—the Common Fowl. 
* Agreeing with this bird in all essential respects are the genera 
Phasianus, Polyplectron, Lophophorus, Tragopan, Pavo, Meleagris, 
Numida, and many others, the species of which are in many instances 
creatures of unsurpassed beauty. This properly typical group has, 
amongst other characteristics, its species provided with a robust body, 
short rounded wings, and very strong legs; whilst the tarsi are 
naked, provided with one or two spurs, and having the generally 
small heel elevated above the anterior toes. 
*‘ Notwithstanding the more subdued style of colouring, and 
the rudimentary condition of the spur, the Red Partridge (Perdix 
rubra) ought to be placed with the Francolins in the typical group. 
‘Still further, if we are to be guided by the structure of the ske- 
leton, and especially by that of the skull, the dwarfs of the family, 
the Quails (Coturniz), ought to stand in the same inner circle as the 
gigantic species, the Turkey and the Peacock. 
“In a subtypical group all those forms ought to be placed, in 
which, besides the quiet style of colouring, we find feebler legs, often 
with the tarsi feathered, a more depressed pigeon-like form of the 
-body, anda skull with thinner and more fibrous walls, combined with 
a much enlarged tympanic cavity. The spur is also obsolete. 
«The Grey Partridge (Perdix cinerea) should be classed with this 
subfamily—the Tetraonide. 
«This beautiful and valuable bird is, as is especially shown in the 
structure of its skull, much more nearly related to the Ptarmigans 
(Lagopus) than to Perdix rubra, with its very thick-walled cellular 
‘skull, small tympanic cavities, and rudimentary spur. 
“There is a group of very majestic birds inhabiting the warmer 
parts of the New World, which differs so much from the Galline 
proper and from the Tetraonide, that it must be considered to be- 
-long to an outer or aberrant place in the great gallinaceous family. 
I allude to the Cracide. 
«These birds, less ornate indeed than their normal relations, are 
