THE BIEDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 423 



200. Perdix sifanica, n. sp. Kuropatka sifanshaya. 



P. hodgsonicB simillima^, sed minor (?) macula abdominali nigra nnlla"^; loris unicoloribus griseis^ 

 vertice nigro variegato. 

 Fern, mari similis. 



In comparing our birds with P. hodgsonicB, Gould, Birds of Asia, part ix., 

 the former have rather larger markings on the back, and the shaft- streaks of 

 the shoulder-feathers are narrower. In all other respects these birds are 

 identical. 



Even the difference in size has been marked by me with a (?^, as P, 

 hodgsonice has been measured from only one specimen. 



We found this bird in the alpine regions of Kan-su, principally in the 

 rhododendron thickets about the sources of the Tutunga, where the mountains 

 are covered with small tufts oi Potentilla tenuifolia. It descends to the plains, 

 which, however, are not at a lower elevation than 10,000 feet above the sea- 

 level. 



Its habits are very similar to those of the preceding species, only the 

 voice is different. When taking to wing it utters a more squeaking but louder 

 note than P. barbata ; and its call-note is also harsher. The number of eggs 

 in one clutch is about fifteen, or perhaps even more. At the end of August 

 the young were only about half as large as their parents, which latter were 

 moulting fast at that time. 



In the beginning of April we revisited Kan-su, and found these birds 

 already paired ; but the females were not sitting even in the beginning of 

 May, although some eggs were deposited. 



Its range does not extend northwards beyond Kan-su. 



^ Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 1857, xxv. p. 159. 

 VOL. II. 3 ^ 



