93 
PERDIX, — Brisson. 
The partridges appear to form one point of con- 
nection between the present family and that wnicli 
formed the snbject of our last volume, through the 
guinea-fowl. There are many resemblances in theii' 
habits and dispositions, harsh cry, and in numerous 
instances the spotted plumage. The Perdix da- 
mater of Temminck may perhaps be mentioned as 
one of the birds forming this passage. It is remark- 
able for its loud harsh cry, which, says Temminck, 
like the guinea-fowl, it delights incessantly to repeat, 
particularly at daybreak and dusk, when the broods 
assemble to perch on the trees and woods which 
overhang the rivers. It is in many ways, says the 
same author, connected with our piutadoes, and may 
one day form an addition to our poultry-yard, the 
Cape colonists having already succeeded in rearing 
them in captivity. 
The genus Perdix was established by Brisson, 
taking the common European partridge as typical, 
but it was made to contain an assemblage of birds, 
some of which will not even rank among the family. 
The quails and the strong-billed American partridges 
have been separated by modem systematists. Ste- 
phens made another separation in the Erancolins with 
