1834.] Catalogue of Birds in the Dukhun. 639 



IX. — Catalogue of Birds (systematically arranged) of the Rasorial, 

 Grallatorial, and Natatorial Orders, observed in the Dukhun, by 

 Lieut .-Colonel W. H. Sykes, Bombay Army, F.L.S., F. Z. S., 

 8fC. 8(C. 



[Continued from p. 598.] 



160. Francolinus spadiceus. Franc, castaneus supra fusco tinctus, plumarum 



marginibus dilutioribus ; capite, collo, ventre, crisso, tegminibusque caudce inferio- 

 ribus fusco-brunneis ; vertice nigrescenti-brunneo ; plumarum ventris crissique rhachi- 

 bus elongatis, acutis. 



Foem. Supra nigro castaneoque varius; pectoris abdominisque plumis castanets ad 

 apices hcnuld lata nigra notatis. 



Pullus. Fusco-ferrugineus, viftis tribus dorsalibus latis, intermedia saturate rufo- 

 brunned, lateralibus Jiavescenti-albidis. 



Irides rufo-brunnese. Rostrum pedesqne rufescenti-comei. Longitudo corporis 9.7 

 unc, cauda 5. 



Perdix spadicea, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 644. 4. Temm., Gall. Ind. 719. Tetrao 

 spadiceus, Gmel., Syst. Nat. 1. 759. 29. Le Perdix rouge de Madagascar, Sonn., 

 Voy. Ind. 2. 169. Francolin spadice, Temm., Pig. et Gall. 3. 315. Koku-tree of 

 the Mahrattas. 



The male only of this bird, which is very common in the thick brushwood of the 

 Ghauts, appears to have been known to the writers quoted. Colonel Sykes has 

 had both sexes alive in his possession for some time, and has no doubt they might 

 be successfully introduced into Europe. They are excellent eating. Rarely take 

 to wing or perch. Male has a harsh call of three syllables, Kot-kut-ree, whence 

 the Mahratta name ; female in confinement uttered little notes like the twittering 

 of a chicken. A male in Col. Sykes' s collection has three large spurs on one leg, 

 and two on the other. 



Genus Pterocles, Temm. Ganga. 



161. Pterocles exustus, Temm., PI. Col. 354 & 360. Rock Pigeon of Europeans in the 



Dukhun. 



A very common bird in the Dukhun ; gregarious ; frequenting open stony plains 

 only. Characterized by the height at which it flies, the rapidity of its flight, and 

 its peculiar and piercing note announcing its approach ere it can be well seen. It 

 feeds on a quadrangular hard small seed, which Colonel Sykes has found in the 

 stomach of only one other bird. 



Irides reddish brown. Sexes of the same size. The male has two of the tail- 

 feathers linear and elongated, which is not the case with the female. Male, 

 inclusive of tail, 14.2 inches : tail 5 inches. 



162. Pterocles quadricinctus, Temm,, Gall. 3. 252. Painted Rock Pigeon of the 

 Dukhun. 



Rare, and met with only in pairs, on open ground, at the foot of hills. Irides, red- 

 dish brown. Sexes of the same size. Length, inclusive of tail, 13 1 inches : tail 

 3 inches. 



Genus Hemipodius. 



163. Hemipodius pugnax, Temm., PI. Col. 60. fig. 2. 



Common in the Dukhun, and called the Bustard Quail by Europeans. Its reputed 

 pugnacious qualities are not known. Solitary, or in pairs, and mostly found in 

 Chillee fields (Capsicum annuum). Irides, light yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 

 7.5 inches : tail 1.5 inch. Habits, tongue, and internal organization of Coturnix 

 textilis. M. Temminck describes the female as differing in plumage from the 

 male ; but in Colonel Sykes's specimens the sexes are exactly alike. 



164. Hemipodius Taigoor. Hem. suprd- castaneus, plumis stramineo marginatis, 



nigroque undulatim fasciatis ; tegminibus alarum stramineis nigro fasciatis ; rewu- 

 gibusfuscis; mento guldque albis ; pectore nigro alboque fasciato ; ventre crissoqu4 

 dilute ferrugineis. 

 Irides, pallide flavae. Rostrum nigrescens. Longitudo corporis 4.8 unc, caudce 



1.7. 

 Closely resembles the female of Hem. pugnax, as described by M. Temminck, but 

 the bill is longer and more slender, and Colonel Sykes has specimens of both 

 sexes. Sexes alike. 



165. Hemipodius Dessumier, Temm., PI. Col. Called the Button Quail by Europeans. 

 Colonel Sykes never met with this bird otherwise than solitary : frequents thick 



grass or pulse fields, and sits so close as to expose itself to be trod upon. Flight 



