1840.] 



of the Peninsula of India, 



S 



This bird is often cauglit and caged by^the Mussulmauns of Southern 

 India. It has a peculiarl}' loud purring call, and this is made use of to 

 ensnare others in the follo^^'ing manner. The female is tak-n into the 

 jungle in a small cage, chiefly during the breeding season, which is said 

 to be (in the Carnatic) about the end of the monsoon. The cage has a 

 small plank in front of the bars, over which an arched cover is made to fall 

 by the snapping of some thread, placed between the bars. It is then 

 placed on the ground in a low bush and partially concealed by leaves, &c. 

 The bird within begins its loud purring, and any of its kind in the neigh- 

 bourhood run rapidly to the spot, and commence pecking at the bars of 

 the cage — this soon breaks the thread, and the spring cover falls, ringing 

 a small bell at the same time, by which the owner, who remains con- 

 cealed, is warned of a capture — 15 or 20 are occasionally caught in this 

 way in a single day. 



Irides lightyellow; bill and legs dull bluish. Length 6i inches ; wing 

 nearly "6^ ; tarsus tV^^^^ ' ^^^^ front i inch ; weight about 2 oz. 1 dr. 



268. Bis.-O. Toigoor, Sykes ; figured Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. 2. 

 From the few opportunities I have had of observing this bird, I am 



inclined to agree with Colonel Sykes, and place it as a distinct species. I 

 have only procured it solitary', in long grass on the more open spaces of 

 the forests of the Western Coast. Bill bluish, with a tinge of yellow 

 beneath. Irides pale yellow. Length 6 to 6j inches ; wing 3 ; tarsus fully 

 y^^ths ; bill rather shorter and less high than in the preceding species. 



269. — O. Diissumierii. — Bemip. Dussimiierii^ Temm. P. C. — Toorah^ 

 H. — Smallest three-toed Quail. — Biitton Quail of some Europeans. 



This very small bird, probably one of the least of the order, is always 

 found solitary, generally in long grass, sometimes in the fields of pulse. 

 It is flushed with difficulty, and, as Colonel Sykes remarks, its flight is 

 abrupt and short. Irides pale yellow ; bill dusky ; legs whitish flesh- 

 coloured. Length 5 J inches ; wing nearly 3 ; tarsus iVths ; bill front tV*^^' 



Gen. TETRAO. 

 SuB-GEN. PTEROCLES, Temm,— Rock, or Whistling Grouse. 



270. — P. exustus, Temm. P. C.--354 and 2,Q0.—Bur-Teetur, B.— Com- 

 won Whistling Grouse. — Rock Pigeon of Europeans. 



This is a very common and abundant bird in most parts of the open 

 country. It is not found in wooded districts. It associates in parties 



