THE CEYLON SPUR-FOWL. 265 



FOR THE following dimensions recorded from numerous speci- 

 mens measured in the flesh under my instructions, I am indebted 

 to Messrs. Hart, of Colombo, who, though professional natur- 

 alists, appear to me to take great pains with work entrusted 

 to them. 



Males. — Length, 12*50 to 14*50; expanse, 19*25 to 21*0; 

 wing, &o to 6*75 ; tail from vent, 4*9 to 5*5 ; tarsus, 1*75 to 

 2*0 ; bill from gape, 0*9 to i*o. Weight, 11 to 13 ozs. 



Females.— Length, iroto 12*25 ; expanse, 18*0 to 19*0; wing, 

 5*o to 5*8 ; tail from vent, 4*25 to 475 ; tarsus, 1-50 to 1*75 ; 

 bill from gape, 0*65 to 0*85. Weight, 7 to 10 ozs. 



Iris pale brown ; bill, cere and orbits pale vermilion red 

 in adult males, and reddish brown in females ; legs and feet 

 pale vermilion red. 



The cocks generally have four spurs and sometimes six. 



The hens are very seldom devoid of spurs, often they have 

 two, and three even occur. 



The Plate represents the plumage of both sexes fairly, but 

 the male is, I venture to think, altogether out of drawing, 

 the plumage on its breast has got decidedly mixed, and the 

 artist only knows how the poor thing could get along with both 

 legs on the off side ! 



These three are the only known species of the genus, which 

 belongs exclusively to the Indian region, 



34 



