Genus ORTYX, Stephens. 



TETRAO, Linn.— PERDIX, Auctorum. 



Ord. III. RASORES. Fam. Tetraonidje, Vigors.— Ord. V. GALLING, 

 Linnaus. — Ord. IV. RASORES, 20 ma . Fam. Gallinacia, Illiger. — 

 Ord. IV. GALLINACES, Cuvier.— Ord. X. GALLINACES, Temminck. 



Gen. Char. — Rostrum validum, crassum ; maxilla adunca, tomiis prope rictum 

 unidentatis obsolete. Nares scutello tectae. Alee rotundatae, remige primo 

 brevissimo, quinto longissimo. Cauda aequalis, mediocris vel longa, tectricibus 

 longioribus. Pedes fortes. Tarsis muticis. Acrotarsia scutellata. Para- 

 tarsia reticulata. Digiti sublongi ad basin connexi. Unguibus longis, fere 

 rectis. Hallux mediocris. 



Typi Generici Ortyx capistrata et macroura, Nobis. 



oince the separation of the genus Perdix from the Tetrao of Linnaeus, 

 an immense number of species, either truly belonging or only allied to it, 

 have been discovered, and, until more accurately examined and divided by 

 ornithologists, assisted to increase the confusion, already more than suffi- 

 cient. The present farther subdivision was first formed by Stephens, the 

 continuator of Shaw's General Zoology ; but although formed by him into 

 a genus quite distinct, the propriety had often been before suggested, by 

 authors placing those birds now ranged in it, into separate sections of the 

 old genus ; and we certainly think they combine characters of sufficient 

 importance to authorise their remaining in the place allotted to them by 

 most of our modern ornithologists. 



These birds have been found only in America, and, with the exception 

 of one species, are confined to the southern parts of it. They hold the 

 same place there with the true Partridges, Francolins and Quails of the 

 other parts of the world, living on the borders of woods, among brush- 

 wood, or in the thick grassy plains, and occasionally frequenting cultivated 

 fields in the search of food, which consists chiefly of grains, or seeds, roots, 

 and insects. During the night they always roost on trees, and occasional- 

 ly also perch on them during the day. Their general shape is robust ; the 

 bill is very strong, and apparently fitted to a mode of feeding requiring 



