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Annals of the Transvaal Museum 
be regarded as of even subspecific value in the species. The two from Beira 
have a broader white superciliary stripe, as stated in the description of 
swynnertoni, but evidence as to whether this is a constant feature in the 
southern birds or not is still wanting, and we must have more definite 
information as to what the true humboldti is like before accepting this new 
arrangement. It is a great pity that Mr Sclater, with his great facilities 
for the production of sound conclusions, should so dislocate the classifica- 
tion of these birds in the way he has done. 
Chaetopus Swainson, genotype C. hicalcaratus (Linne), differs from 
Pternistis only in having the throat feathered, habits of members of the 
genus being very similar, and both genera being also known to the colonists 
as “pheasants.” Three distinct species are recognised within our limits, 
namely, C. capensis, C. natalensis and C. adspersus, each occupying certain 
parts of the country. 
Peliperdix Bonaparte, genotype P. lathami, differs from Chaetopus in 
that the sexes are quite distinct in the colour of the underparts of the body, 
the males without true spurs and of about the same size as the females, 
and the species much smaller. One species of the genus has been recorded 
from within our limits, namely, P. hartlauhi (Boc.), taken by Lieut. C. G. 
Finch-Davies at Otavifontein (cf. Ann. Transvaal Mus. v. 256, 1917). 
Dendroperdix gen. nov., genotype Perdix sephaena A. Smith, differs 
from the preceding in not having the membrane over the nostrils extended 
in a broad band across the base of the culmen, and in general appearance 
and habits is otherwise so different that there should be no hesitation in 
recognising it; the sexes are alike in colour, but the males are larger and 
have a large sharp spur. Members of the genus frequent forests and to one 
acquainted with its call-notes there is never any difficulty in identifying 
them. The nasal operculum is more elongate than in other genera, situated 
high up, and the shape of the primaries differs from that of the two follow- 
ing genera, in which the second outermost is more emarginate. There are 
two distinct species within our limits, namely, D. sephaena in the “bush- 
veld” districts and D. rovuma (formerly known as kirki, a.s to which see 
C. Grant, Ihis, 1915, p. 12) on the coast belt of the lower Zambesi valley. 
W. L. Sclater {Ihis, 1912, p. 38) has recorded D. granti from Tette; but it 
would seem from his notes thereon that the record should refer to D. seph- 
aena zamhesiensis Mackworth-Praed {Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. XL. 139, 1920), 
though the latter writer does not say so. From specimens in the Transvaal 
Museum collection it seems that this small Zambesi form of D. sephaena 
occurs southwards to the Barberton district. 
Ortygornis Reichenbach, genotype 0 . pondicerianus Gmelin, differs from 
the preceding in having the nostrils almost concealed by an ovate superior 
membrane, which is also not connected over the base of the culmen, an 
entirely different style of colour and general appearance, small size, males 
differing from females in the colour of the head and possessing a pair of 
sharp spurs. The call-notes are very distinctive, something like “swempie” 
repeated several times, whence the native and common colloquial name; 
and also a shrill crowing note sometimes uttered that sounds something 
like “Che che che che-che-che-che.” Only one species occurs within our 
limits, though possibly another form will be found to occur in the Zambesi 
valley, evidence as to which has not yet been forthcoming, the only record 
