512 NOVELTIES. 



Microperdix Blewitti, Sp. Nov. 



Closely allied to M. erythrorhyncha, but is persistently smaller in all 

 its dimensions, and conspicuously paler on its lower surface. 



Year after year Mr. F. R. Blewitt has continued sending 

 me, from Raipoor and its neighbourhood, specimens of this 

 small Bush Quail, so very close to the Southern Indian bird, 

 and yet differing from it so persistently in size and in the tint 

 of the lower surface. 



I have never been able to meet with any intermediate form. 

 I have examined and compared more than 20 of each species 

 or race. The two birds do differ markedly and persistently, 

 and whether deserving of a distinct specific appellation, or 

 whether only demanding recognition as a very distinct race, 

 it is equally desirable that the differences existing between 

 the two should be put on record. 



I may notice that this race extends to the Balaghat district 

 at any rate, as I have received specimens thence from Mr. R. 

 Thompson. 



First as to size. The wing of the largest male of the 

 Raipoor bird is a little less than 3'15. In the Nilghiri bird, 

 thouo-h Jerdon gives it as 3, I find it in no adult male below 3"2, 

 in most 34, and in one 3*5. 



The tarsus again is very markedly slenderer, and in no 

 specimen exceeds 0'9, whereas in erythrorhyncha I find it 1*1 

 in several. 



The bill at front in erythrorhyncha, adult male, is about 

 0'57, in Blewitti, similarly measured, it is 0'47. 



Then again the total length of an adult male of the present 

 species, measured in the flesh, is 6* inches, of erythrorhyncha^ 

 65 to 7-25. 



As to plumage. In the male, in the first place, the black 

 frontal band is much narrower, and the white band surmount- 

 ing it broader, and there is altogether less black on the crown 

 and sides of the occiput than in erythrorhyncha. 



In the second place, the chestnut of the lower surface is 

 much paler, and whereas in erythrorhyncha only the feathers 

 of the upper breast and the sides of the lower breast are 

 broadly fringed with greyish pink, and exhibit a black subter- 

 minal spot, in Blewitti this coloration extends over the entire 

 breast and part of the upper abdomen, and the pinkish grey 

 fringing is much broader, paler, and more conspicuously marked. 



