300 



On two new Genera of Rasorial Birds. 



[April 



small patches with wheat and barley, but feel rather uncertain about 

 the quality of the seed ; should they however germinate, I may possi- 

 bly be able to estimate the probable result before the publication of 

 this paper, in which case it will be communicated as a postscript. I am 

 the more anxious to see this extensively tried, as success would at 

 a moderate computation nearly double the value of land ; first by the 

 augmented return from it, and next by the means which it would afford 

 of providing for a greatly improved breed of cattle. The improvement 

 of our cattle is indeed daily becoming an object of greater importance, 

 now that our internal commerce is increasing, and there is a prospect 

 of our soon being able to bring into use the English plough, the 

 economical employment of which, as an agricultural implement, must 

 greatly depend on our ability to provide it with suitable draught cattle. 



VI.— On two new Genera of Rasorial Birds.— ByB. H. Hodgson, Esq. 

 British Resident in Nipal. 



If a ty the of the attention which has been bestowed on the Inses- 

 sorial, had been given to the game, birds,we should not now be obliged 

 to wade through huge tomes in which the habits and manners of the 

 latter are wholly overlooked, and their forms most vaguely discrimi- 

 nated, whilst all the stress of description is laid on colours ! 



In the absence of any competent guidance as to the affinities of the 

 Tetraonidee, I cannot speak satisfactorily of the relations of the two 

 birds, I am about to describe, both of which are distinguished by 

 remarkable peculiarities of form and habits, giving them a very decided, 

 but osculant character. 



Order — Rasores. 

 Family — Tetraonjd;e. 

 Sub-family — Perdicin;e nobis. 

 Genus — Lerwa nobis. 



Bill shorter than the head, very strong, conspicuously arched through- 

 out; the upper mandible greatly larger than the lower, and nearly con- 

 cealing it. Nostrils small, opened subvertically towards the head, and 

 closed in front and above by a very tumid, small, hard scale. 



Intire head and base of the bill closely plumed. Plumage of the 

 body very abundant, firm, and somewhat puffy and spinous on the 

 croup. Wings and tail ample and strong. Wings ungradated : four 

 first quills subequal: second, usually the longest of all. Tail 14, 



