EHYNCIIORTTX. 313 



RHYXCHOETYX. 



Rhynchortyx, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 443 (1893). 



In the genus Ehynchortyx there is no distinct crest, the first flight-feather is inter- 

 mediate in length between the eighth and ninth, the tail is less than half the length of 

 the wing and composed of ten feathers, and the tarsus is longer than the middle toe 

 and claw. In all the other genera of Partridges and Quails prepiously mentioned the 

 reverse obtains, the tarsus being shorter than the middle toe and claw. The sex has 

 not been ascertained of any of the specimens recorded. 



Two species have been described, both of which occur within our limits. 



1. Ehynchortyx spodiostethus. {Odmtophorus spo(h'ostefhus,Tah.LX.X.Vl.) 

 Odontophorus spodiostethus, Salv. Ibis, 1878, p. 4i7 ^ ; Richmond, Pr. U. S. Xat. ilus. xvi. p. 524". 

 Rhynchortyx spodiostethus, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. jNIus. xxii. p. 443 ' ; Handb. Game-Birds, ii. 



p. 162. t. 34 '. 



Supra castaneo-brunneus, interscapulio cinereo lavato ; dorso postico magis cineraseenti-brunneo, macniis 

 paucis sagittiformibas ornato ; scapularibus et seoiindariis intimis nigro conspicue maculatis, rufo 

 fasciatis, his intus et ad apicem arenario limbatis vel indentafcis ; tectricibus alarum cineraceo fasciatim 

 vermiculatis et maculis magnis nigris ornatis ; remigibus sepiariis, secundariis rufo indentatis ; rectriclbus 

 rufescenti-brunneis, rufo nigroque transfasciatis ; pileo ruf escenti-bruimeo ; loris, snpercilio lato, facie 

 laterali et gula laete castaneis, regione parotica summa nigricante ; gutture imo, praepectore et pectoris 

 lateribus schistaceis, pectore reliquo saturate ocbraceo, abdomine medio albo ; subcaudalibus et hypo- 

 chondriis imis ochraceis nigro fasciatis; ala intus sepiaria, subalaribus marginalibus nigris. Long, tota 

 circa T'O, alae 4-4, caudaB 1"55, culm. 0-65, tarsi 1"35. (Descr. exempl. typ. ex Teragua. Mus. nostr.) 



Hab. XicARAGUA, Rio Escondido (^/cAmowtZ 2), Oioche [Richardson) ; Panama 2, Veragua 

 {Arce^ ^), Agua Duice [Mus. Brit., ex coll. Gould ^). 



This prettily marked Colin was described from Veragua by Salvin. Mr. Richmond 

 procured it on the Escondido River, and we have more recently received from 

 Mr. Richardson a specimen from Ojoche, Nicaragua. Compared with the type, the 

 Nicaraguan examples show some notable difi'erences. The chestnut colour of the sides 

 of the face is lighter and more orange, and that of the lower part of the back and 

 rump is different, being of a light olive-brown, instead of greyish- or vinous-brown. 

 It would, however, be imprudent to describe the Nicaraguan and Panama birds as 

 belonging to separate species, without a larger series of specimens : the variation in 

 colour may be due to age, but we do not think this is likely. 



2. Rhynchortyx cinctus. {Odontophorus cinctus. Tab. LXXV.) 

 Odontophorus cinctvs, Salv. Ibis, 1876, p. 379 ' ; Kowley, Om. Misc. iii. p. 39, t. 86 \ 

 Rhynchortyx cinctus, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. ]Mus. xxii. p. 444 ' ; Handb. Game-Birds, ii. p. 162 '. 



JR. spodiostetho similis, et supra eodem modo perdicario coloratus, sad gutt.ure et supercilio albis, facie laterali 

 olivaceo-brunnea, praepectore et pectore rufo-brnnneis minime cinereis, pectore medio et abdomine laterali 

 albis, nigro transfasciatis, facile distinguendus. Long, tota circa 7-0, alee 47, caudse l-o, culm. 0-65, 

 tarsi 1-05. (Descr. exempl. typ. ex Yeragua. Mus. nostr.) 



Hal). Panama, Veragua (ArcS ^ ^). 



BIOL. CESTR.-AMER., Aves, Yol. III., February 1903. 10 



