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Genus AMMOPERDIX. 



Caccabis apud G. R. Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist. 1843, p. 372. 

 Perdix apud Fraser, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1843, p. 70. 

 Ammoperdix, Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. 3 (1851). 



This genus contains only two species, Ammoperdix bonhami and Ammoperdix heyi, which are 

 found in the north-eastern part of the Ethiopian Region and in the western portions of the 

 Oriental and Eastern Palsearctic Regions, the former species occurring also in the extreme south- 

 eastern portion of the Western Palsearctic Region. They frequent the low hills and stony 

 ravines where there is but scanty vegetation, and where the colour of the sand and stones is 

 closely similar to that of their plumage. They are found in coveys, and are said to resemble 

 the Quail in their flight and the mode in which they rise when flushed ; and as they rise they 

 usually utter a whistle. Their ordinary note is said to be a double whistle uttered several times 

 in succession ; and some authors say that it reminded them of the call of some of the Red-legged 

 Partridges. They make a very slight nest, it being merely a depression in the ground amongst 

 the stones, lined with a few grass-bents and feathers ; and their eggs, which are numerous, are 

 uniform stone-isabelline, unmarked. 



Ammoperdix bonhami, the type of the genus, has the bill moderately short, stout, about as 

 broad as high (or slightly broader than high) at the base, decurved from the nostrils to the point, 

 which is rounded and thin-edged ; nostrils basal, lateral, covered above with an exposed horny 

 oblong operculum ; no bare space behind the eye ; wings rather short, broad, the first and second 

 quills nearly equal and shorter than the fifth, the third and fourth longest ; tail short, even, 

 nearly concealed by the coverts ; legs moderate, the tarsus anteriorly scutellate, and without any 

 trace of spur behind ; toes moderate, the hind toe small ; claws compressed, curved, moderately 

 obtuse. 



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