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On tico new Genera of Rasorial Birds, 



[Armt 



The Litter, as well as the scapulars, are long and firm. The tail, like 

 the wings, is distinguished by a strength and elongation, very unusual 

 in the partridge tribe, and considerably surpassing the type of Franco- 

 linus. It consists of 14, broad, round-pointed plumes, freely exserted 

 from the coverts, and considerably gradated on the sides, so that the 

 form is round at the end; above, it is broadly convex. The legs and 

 feet are both small in relation to the size of the bird and to its Perdicine 

 affinities, but without absolute defect of strength. The tarsi are clad on 

 the inner side down to the insersion of the thumb or hind digit ; on the 

 outer side, somewhat less or a little below the spur. In front, they are 

 nearly half nude, and wholly so behind. 



The acrotarsial scales are divided angularly along the mesial line, 

 as usual j but they are smaller and less regular in shape than in most of 

 the Gallinaceous birds, and are, properly speaking, reticulo-scutellate, 

 not scutellate nor biscutellate. The acropodia is perfectly scaled ; the 

 fore toes, membraned as usual ; the lateral toes, nearly equal ; the cen- 

 tral, not long ; the hind, short but perfect, and resting distinctly on its 

 ultimate phalanx when the leg is bent. The lateral small scales of the 

 fore toes are free, giving the pectinated appearance of the feet in the 

 grouse, to which genus our bird has numberless affinities, external and 

 internal ; so much so that Tetraoperdix might very well designate the 

 new genus I have proposed for it, if that word were not somewhat un- 

 manageable, in comparison of our Lerwa, which I have therefore pre- 

 ferred, native though it be. The spur on the tarsus of the males is 

 plainly developed, but small, blunt, and uncurved, except in very old 

 males which show a slight curve and acumination in the spur. 



These birds have the habits and manners of Tetrao rather than of Per- 

 dix. They are gregarious in coveys, nestle and breed und er jutting rocks, 

 feed on the aromatics, seeds and insects found in the proper Himalayan 

 region, which they never quit, and amid the glaciers of which they 

 take impenetrable refuge when disturbed. Trees they wholly avoid j 

 and are usually found on the flatter and quasi-heathery ledges which 

 form steps from the snow-bound summits of Himalaya. Our splendid 

 pheasants occupy the same sites. The Lerwas moult, I think, twice a 

 year, in spring and autumn ; but certainly in autumn, their plumage 

 being most imperfect in August. They are splendid game, with a 

 vigorous flight, shy, and in size and strength equal to a grouse. Their 

 flesh is white, succulent, and possessed of a very high flavour. The 

 sexes resemble each other, and are of nearly equal size ; nor do the 

 young differ materially, except in being of duller hue, especially on 

 the breast and flanks, which in the old birds shine with an intense ches- 

 nut brown or ochreous red colour. The young have the bill and legs 

 dusky red. 



