Nearly all the known species of this genus are about the same size as the members of the genus Ortyx:
they are all adorned with an elongated crest, which in most of them when erect has a forward curvature,
and gives the bird a very elegant and sprightly appearance. The tail-feathers and the upper surface
generally are more minutely freckled or moth-like in their markings than those of the members of any
of the preceding groups; they are also distinguished by the more well-defined spotted markings of the
fianks. The plumage of the sexes differs considerably ; for, although the female is decorated with a similar
style of colouring, the markings are much less decided and brilliant than in the male. The range of the
members of this genus extends from Mexico to Brazil. Some of the species inhabit the temperate regions
of both the Mexican and Columbian Andes.
The species are
9. Eupsychortyx cristatus
10. — ;—I—I— leucotis
1 1 . — —■ ■ .— Sonninii
12. ---------------- affinis.
PI. IX.
PI. X.
PI. XI.
Etips. cristse plumis elongatis, et fuscescenti-eervinis; gulh ferrugmefi, apud mentum nigro indistinct!: n o ta ti;
pectore pallidd vinaceo-cinereo.
Crest feathers lengthened and of a brownish buff; throat rust-red, with some indistinct black marks - on the
chin; chest pale vinaceous grey.
Ortyx affinis, Vigors, in Proc. of Comm. Sei. and Corr. of Zool. Soc. Part I. p. 3.
From the time Mr. Vigors characterized this bird as distinct, until the present moment, I have always
had some doubt of its specific value j yet I must admit that upon every occasion that I have compared
it with its near ally E. Sonninii, I could not but perceive that it exhibits sufficient differences to warrant its
separation future research alone can decide whether the two birds be identical or not. It is smaller than
E. Sonninii in all its admeasurements, particularly in the shortness of its tail, is much lighter in colour,
and possesses some black marks on the throat, of which I have never observed even a trace in any specimen
of E. Sonninii that I have examined.
Habitat. Said to be Mexico.
The original of Mr. Vigors’s description is in the Collection of the Zoological Society; I possess another
precisely, the same in size and plumage, which was obtained in Paris; both of these, judging from their
plumage, are adult males. I have not considered it necessary to figure this species.
13. Eupsychortyx parvicristatus . . . . . . PI. XII.
14. ------------------ leucopogon . . . . . . PI. XIII.
For the fourth section I propose the generic term
PHILORTYX,
WITH THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS
Habitus idem u t in genere “ Ortyx ” dicto. Indumentum pbmatile, molle et laxum, dorsi superioris plumis, nee
non scapularum, pectoris et laterum latis et truncatis; illis et pectoris et laterum transversim distinctd nigro
alboque fasciatis, .at non guttatis.
General form that of Ortyx; plumage soft and yielding; feathers of the mantle, scapularies, chest and flanks broad
and truncate; those of the two latter distinctly barred across with black and white, and not spotted.
The only known species is
15. Philortyx fasciatus . . . . . . . . PI. XIV.
Ortyx Perrotiana, O. Des Murs, Rev. Zool. 1845, p. 207.
I have had no opportunity of examining the bird described by M. O. Des Murs, under the above appellation
; but, judging from the description, I believe it to be identical with this species.
The Philortyx fasciatus is confined to Mexico, and I believe the sexes are similar in their markings.
For the fifth section I retain Wagler’s name of
CALLIPEPLA,
WITH THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS
Caput cristA longd et pendente omatum; rostrum breve, et aliquantd attenuatum, culmine gradatlm a basi de-
scendente, tomiis acutis, pauld incurvatis; mandibuld inferiore rectd, et apicem versus denticulis duobus vel
pluribus instru cts; naribus basalibus aliquantd grandibus, et operculo obtectis; orbitis plumis indutis; alee
pauld elongates et concaves, primariis valdd rigidis, remigibus quartet, quints et sextd cseteris longioribus;
cauda aliquantd elongata et e plumis duodecim rigidis constans • tarsi, sic et digiti, paulo graciles; his ad basin
membrand conjunctis, digito interno breviore.
Head ornamented with a long pendent crest; bill short and somewhat slender; culmen gradually descending from
the b ase; tomia sharp, slightly incurved under mandible straight, and armed near the tip with two or more