1834.] Catalogue of Birds. 599 



Genus Numida, Linn. Pintado. 



152. Numida Meleagrie, Linn. Guinea Fowl. 



Met with only in the domestic state, and bred almost exclusively by European 

 gentlemen. Thrives as well as in its native country. 



Fam. Tetraonidce, Leach. — Genus Coturnix, Cuv. 



153. Coturnix dactylisonans, Temm., Gall. Ind. 740. Tetrao Coturnix, Linn., Syst. 



Nat. 1. 278, 20. Lohah of the Mahrattas. Large Grey Quail. 

 Rare in the Dukhun, and found only in pairs in tufts of grass near water-courses 

 and ponds. Resembles the Quail of Europe in size and plumage : the irides are 

 dusky red or reddish brown, like those of the European bird, which by mistake 

 are described in Shaw as yellow. Female a little larger than male : one female 

 measured 8 inches, inclusive of tail of 2 inches, but this was a large bird. Peri- 

 od of incubation in the monsoon. 



154. Coturnix textilis, Steph., 11. 365. Perdix textilis, Temm., PI. 35. Perdix Coro- 



mandelica, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 654. 38. Black speckled-breasted Quail. 

 Irides, dusky red. Length 6.1 inches, inclusive of tail of 1.5 inch. In pairs in the 

 monsoon; gregarious the rest of the year. Very abundant in Jowuree fields, 

 (Andropogon Sorghum.) 



155. Coturnix Argoondah. Cot. supra ruf escenti-brunnea, fasciis angustis dilute 



ferrugineis notata ; infra sordide alba, fasciis equidistantibus nigris ; fronte men- 

 toque ferrugineis ; strigd super ciliari rufescenti-albidd. 



Fcem. Fasciis magls obscuris. 

 Irides fusco-rubrae. Rostrum nigrum. Longitudo corporis 5 unc, caudce 1.5. 



Always gregarious ; frequenting only rocky places, or amidst low bushes. The 

 covey rises with a startling whirl. Flight very short. Pugnacious, and used 

 by the natives for combat. 



156. Coturnix Pentah. Cot. supra saturate brunnea ; infra rufescenti-albidd nigro 



fas data ; ventre crissoque albido -ferrugineis ; interscapullio scapularibusque nigro 

 maculatis, plumarum rhachibus dilute flavis ; remigibus brunneis pallide ferrugineo 

 maculatis ; strigd superciliari sordid^ albd ; mento rufescente. 



Fcem. Infra rufescens, haud fasciata ; plumarum rhachibus albis. 



Irides ochraceo-brunnese. Rostrum rufescenti-brunneum. Pedes flavescentes. 

 Longitudo corporis 5.3 unc, caudce 1.7. 



Has the habits and somewhat the appearance of the last species, but is found 

 only on the most elevated table-lands and slopes of the mountains, amidst reeds 

 and grass. Colonel Sykes' s specimens were shot at 4000 feet above the sea. 



157. Coturnix erythrorhyncha. Cot. supra saturate brunnea, infra dilute 



castanea, nigro (prceter ventrem medium) undequaque guttata maculataque, scapu- 

 larium tnaculis maximis, pectoris guttis minimis; scapularium tegminumque alarum 

 superiorum albo fasciatarum rhachibus albis, crucem efformantibus ; remigum po- 

 goniis externis rufescenti faciatis maculatisque ; fronte nigro , strigd front alt 

 utrinque supra oculum productd guldque albis. 



Fcem. Fronte, strigd inde ad utrumque latus ductd, guldque dilute castaneis. 

 Irides obscure flavo-ochracese. Rostrum rubrum. Longitudo corporis 5 unc, 

 caudce 1.5. 



Colonel Sykes has found this very handsome bird only in the valley of Karleh, 

 where it frequents the same ground as the black Partridge (Perdix picta). Gre- 

 garious and abundant. In closing his notices of the Quails, Colonel Sykes 

 mentioned that grass seeds constitute their principal food. 

 Genus Perdix, Biss. Partridge. 



158. Perdix picta, Jard. & Selby, PI. 150- 



This is called the black partridge in Dukhun, by Europeans. It affects uncultivated 

 tracts in the country, covered with tufts of rank grass and low bushes, where it 

 is abundant. Colonel Sykes has never met with it in gardens. The call of the 

 male is a kind of broken crow. Sexes exactly alike. Irides, reddish dark -brown. 

 Length, inclusive of tail, 10 inches : tail 2'5 inches. Does not roost on trees. 

 Genus Francolinus, Steph. Francolin. 

 169. Francolinus Ponticerianus, Steph. 11. 321. Perdix Ponticeriana, Lath., Ind. Orn. 

 2.649. 18. Temm., PI. Col. 213. Ferruginous and Grey Francolin. Teetur of 

 the Mahrattas. 

 Called a partridge in the Dukhun, where it is one of the most common birds, fre- 

 quenting gardens and cultivated lands. Irides intense red brown. Length, inclusive 

 of tail, 14 inches : tail 3.6 inches. Not met with in the Ghauts, unless in well 

 cultivated valleys, and not at all on the mountains. Roosts on trees ; and Colonel 

 Sykes has on more than one occasion shot them on trees during the daytime ; 



but this is a rare occurrence. 



[To be continued.] 



