30 
the ground in dense jungle at the foot of the Neilgherries. They 
were of a light pinkish-cream colour.” 
Family TeTRAONID. 
Genus TeTRao. 
Subgenus PrEROCLEs. 
PrEROCLES ExuUSTUS. ComMMON WHISTLING GROUSE. 
This Grouse is common in the open plains of the Deccan, flying 
in flocks, and, as Colonel Sykes has remarked, announces its approach 
by its peculiar and piercing cry. I believe that this Grouse breeds 
during the greater part of the year. Eggs of this species (I believe) 
have been brought to me from the month of December to May. 
The Common Whistling Grouse lays three eggs in a slight hollow on 
the bare ground, and the colour of the eggs so much assimilates with 
that of the sandy ground on which they are laid, that it is very 
difficult to find them. The egg sent (Pl. LXXVIII.) is, I believe, 
the egg of this species. It measures 1,%ths of an inch in length, 
and 1 inch and rather more than ;,th in width, and is of a stone 
colour, thickly spotted and blotched with grey and olive-brown. I 
have in my collection several eggs of the Sand Grouse, which vary 
much in their size and markings. 
PrEROCLES QUADRICINCTUS. PAINTED WHISTLING GROUSE. 
This handsome Grouse frequents the low stony hills so common in 
the Deccan. It is not nearly so common as the last mentioned. I 
succeeded in getting two or three pairs, by waiting for them at a 
piece of water whither they used to come at dusk to drink. This 
Grouse most probably breeds at the same time and lays the same 
number of eggs as P. erustus. Many eggs of birds of the sub- 
genus Pterocles were brought to me by the people in the districts, 
but as they are not generally very accurate observers, and call both 
P. exustus and P. quadricinctus by one common name, they could 
not tell-me to which they belonged ; but from my own observations, 
and the notes of Dr. Jerdon, I believe the egg sent with this paper 
is that of P. quadricinctus. Dr. Jerdon says, “I have lately got the 
eggs of this species, also very similar to the other, but rather smaller, 
and with the spots fewer and larger.” 
Genus Perprix. 
PERDIX PICTA. 
I met with the Painted Partridge in the grassy valleys near and 
amongst the Western Ghauts near Nassick, in the thickly planted 
and rich gardens, and in one of the districts between the Godavery 
and the Bheema rivers. In the latter district the Shikaries brought 
me several pairs alive. Its very peculiar cry is heard at a consider- 
able distance. When out shooting in a valley amongst the Ghauts, 
I saw one calling when perched on the low stump of a tree. Dr. 
