10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIV. 



possibly add the Jungle Fowl as a fifth, for these birds in outward 

 structure and general habits do not seem to agree well with any of 

 the others. Hitherto there has, however, been no sound scientific 

 data discovered upon which it was possible to define these superfici- 

 ally self-apparent divisions, and the large number of genera 

 which could not be placed with certainty have defied scientific 

 classification. 



Recently, in July 1914, Beebo has written in " Zoologica," the 

 publication of tlie IST. Y. Zoological Society, a most interesting 

 article on the Phasianidce in which he explains how he proposes to 

 divide this family into four sub-families according to the formula 

 for the moulting of their rectrices. According to this Ornithologist 

 the Partridges {Perdicinoi) commence hj moulting the central tail 

 feathers and finish with the outermost pair ; with the true Pheasants 

 (Fhadanince) the exact reverse obtains ; the Argus Pheasants 

 (^Argusianoi) commence by moulting the third pair from the centre, 

 and the Peafowl (Favonince) commence with the fifth pair. 



By this classification the Jungle Fowl are included with the 

 Pheasants, an arrangement which agrees with nearly every system 

 hitherto accepted, but one concerning which I cannot but feel 

 doubtful. Beebe says himself that he only puts forward this scheme 

 faute de mieiix, and frankly adds that he hopes that some still 

 better one may be found to succeed it ; he also remarks that he has 

 been unable to examine thoroughly many of the genera he includes 

 in his Perdicince. 



As a whole I accept Beebe's classification ; it is the only one 

 which has any scientific basis, and it is convenient from the point of 

 view of the Sportsman and Field Worker. 



Key to Sub-Families. 



Moult of rectrices commencing — 



A. — With the fifth pair ... ... Pavonince. 



B. — With the third pair ... ... Arcjusianince. 



C. — With the outermost pair ... ... Pliasiaoiince . 



D. — With the central pair ... ... Perdicince. 



The above key is, unfortunatel}?', of no use to the Sportsman who 

 may find the following alternative one easier to understand, though 

 it must be confessed that it is not a very sound one scientifically. 

 A. — Feathers of tail or tail coverts with 

 large metallic occelli. 

 a. Wing over 15" ... ... ... Pavonince. 



h. Wing under 15"... ... ... Argusianince. 



B. — No occellations. 



c. Wing over 8" ; tail longer than 

 wing except in Loijlioflwrus and 

 Lophura ... ... ... ... Phasianince. 



