ORB. R A SO RES. 



FAM. TETRAONIDjE. 



GJSN.] P TUB OGLES. 



PLATE X. 



P TER GLES Q UADRICINGTUS, 



PAINTED ROCK GROUSE. 



MALE. 



Synon. — Pterocles quadricinctus, Temminck, Pig. et Gall? Gelinote des Indes — Sonnerat 

 —^Tetrao Indicus, Gmeliii — Perdix Indica, Latliam —uEnas Indicus and ^. hicinctus 

 of Vieillot (according to Lesson and Wagier.) 



If the Pterocles quadricinctus of Temminck, an inhabitant of Senegambia, be 

 identical witli 0Vixl.Tidi\a.n painted Rock-grouse, as is asserted in all the systematic works I have 

 access to, which give both Africa and India as its habitat, than the specific name Indicus, 

 long ago employed, has the priority ; but, on comparing specunens lately with Wagler's 

 description, I found several points of difference, and Wagier himself says, ' Is the bird des- 

 cribed by Sonnerat really to be referred to this V Had I noted this sooner, and before 

 the Plate was printed, I would have been inclined to have substituted the old term Indicus, 

 but as our Indian bird had been referred without any hesitation to quadricinctus by Colonel 

 Sykes, as well as by all systematists, I omitted previously to compare it more accurately. 

 As it is, I am now inclined to consider our present Rock-grouse a distinct species fi-om 

 Quadricinctus, and it wUl of course bear the name of Pterocles Indicus. 



This handsomely plumaged Rock-grouse is to be found in suitable localities 

 throughout India, but is by no means a common or abundant species. Unlike the Pterocles 

 exustus, which delights in the bare and rocky plains, this bird is only to be seen in bushy and 



I 



