HiEMATORTYX SANGUINICEPS, Sharpe. 



Crimson-vented Partridge. 



Hamatortyx sangniniceps, Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 266. 



But a few years have elapsed since the name of the Lawas river in North-western Borneo was impressed 

 upon the minds of ornithologists by the discovery of the fine new Pheasant which was described as Lobiophasis 

 bulweri by Mr. Sharpe, and figured by me in the present work. I have now the pleasure of introducing to 

 my readers another game-bird from the same locality, which, although not so showy as the Bulwer's Pheasant, 

 is almost as interesting a novelty as that bird. The present species has been described by Mr. Bowdler 

 Sharpe, and has been by him very rightly made the type of a new genus. The bird bears a certain 

 resemblance to the Crested Partridges of Malacca and Borneo belonging to the genus Rollulus-, and Mr. 

 Treacher, the discoverer of the new species, says that it is known to the natives by the name of Serookan, 

 which is the same name that they apply to the Rollulus. The genus Hcematortyai differs from Rollulus in 

 having a larger nail to the hind toe, but more especially by the form of the crest,— very feebly developed in 

 the former genus, which likewise entirely wants the long hairs of the forehead that form such a distinguishing 

 feature in Rollulus. 



Only one single specimen was obtained by Mr. Treacher; and this typical bird is now in the Oxford 

 Museum along with the rest of that gentleman's collection. Unfortunately no particulars were sent with 

 the bird ; so that not only are we ignorant of its habits, but even the sex of the specimen itself was not 

 declared; hence it is impossible to hazard even a conjecture as to whether the bird is a male or a female. 

 To settle this point one ought to look for the spur on the leg : there is none, however, and yet the bird has 

 all the appearance of being a male. 



The following description is taken from Mr. Sharpe's paper in ' The Ibis :' — 



"Adult. General colour above dark sepia-brown ; the wings like the back ; tail-feathers blackish ; crown 

 of head, which is slightly crested, deep crimson, the nape also of this colour, with blackish tips to the 

 feathers, all the plumes of the crown with narrow buff shaft-lines ; sides of face dull crimson ; the ear-coverts, 

 cheeks, and throat light fawn-colour, with a slight wash of crimson on the chin ; lower throat, fore neck, and 

 chest deep chestnut ; remainder of under surface of body dark sepia-brown, with paler edges to most of 

 the feathers ; under wing-coverts like the breast ; under tail-coverts black, the longer ones bright crimson. 

 Total length 12*5 inches, culmen 0*85, wing 5*85, tail 2'8, tarsus 1*85." 



The Plate represents two figures drawn from the typical specimen, of about the size of life. I am indebted 

 to Professor Rolleston for permission to draw the unique specimen in the Oxford Museum. 



