SYERHAPTES. 



59 



eye-patch ash-grey. Above fulvous yellow. "Whole plumage unspotted. — Female: 

 Neck and above dotted dusky grey on buff. 



Eggs (1-6 X M2). From N.W. Africa and S.W. Asia. Cold-weather visitors, 

 and also generally resident in W. India, but not known to breed E. of Indus. 

 (B. 1322. O.G. 14. 0. 4.) 



Rindawaree, 27.12.72. 



Berot, 22.10.74. 



Genus SYERHAPTES. 



Syrrhaptes derived by Illiger from a-v^/idirrav = to sew or stitch together, because the last 

 phalanges of the toes alone are free. 



No hind toe. Tarsus feathered throughout. Toes broad and feathered to claws. 

 First and second quills lengthened; second quill longest. Middle tail-feathers 

 elongated. 



8. Syrrhaptes tibetanus. The Tibetan Pintail Sand-Grousb. 



Kaling, Kuk, Ladak. 



$ 18" to 20". ? 16|" to 18". Bill bluish. Primaries black, with white patch 

 on inner web of hinder ones. — Male : Crown and nape white, closely barred. 

 Narrow yellow band across back of neck. !^ack blotches on inner web of scapulars. 

 Breast grey. Abdomen white, with no black patch. Wing finely barred. — Female : 

 Whole breast lineated with zigzag brown lines. Closed wing boldly barred 

 {Lahore to Yarkand, p. 259). 



Eggs (2 X 1-33). From Tibet; common in Ladak and Sutlej Valley. (B. 1323. 

 O.G. 6. O. 1.) 



Also S. paradoxus. Pallaa's, Pintail S.G. from the Kirghiz steppes. 



" Baguerlac" the Tetrao paradoxus of Pallas, known as S. pallasi, is Marco's bird (Yule's 

 Marco Polo, p. 240). 



TSirSo=Terpd<iii>, a bird mentioned by Athenseus and Pliny. Paradoxus=TapiiSo^os, strange, 

 contrary to expectation ; from the curious structure of its feet. 



Pallas's Sand-Grouse, known also as the "Tartary Partridge," or "Partridge of the Steppes," 

 is a rare and erratic visitant to Europe and Britain. Unknown in British Isles till 1859, when 

 three were obtained (two in England, one in Wales). In May, 1863, the first great irruption 

 occurred all over Europe and throughout Britain. In 1872 there was another visitation to 

 Great Britain. During May, 1888, its appearance was reported in several places remote from 

 one another. Nothing is known of the causes which are forcing it to quit its native Central 

 Asian steppes for a new home in Germany and elsewhere. Throat and around eyes orange. 

 Breast grey, with black patch on abdomen. Breast-band black and white. Eggs, three or 

 four (1-7 X 1-5), pale olive, spotted brown. (O.G. 4.) 



