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Show 240 MR. D. G. ELLIOT ON THE PTEROCLIDA. [Feb. 19, b". Lower part of breast bordered with a rather broad white band, succeeded by a broad black one; rest of underparts yellowish-white, irregularly barred with black 11. Pt. bicinctus. c". Lower part of breast crossed by four bands, first a maroon one, succeeded by a white one, then a black, and lastly a white one, alternating; wing-coverts with only one black band, margined on both sides with white 12. Pt. quadricinctus. b'. Throat pale buff ; upper part of breast buff, crossed with numerous narrow black bars; middle of breast uniform buff, crossed in centre by a narrow black bar, and another of the same hue on its lower edge; rest of underparts yellowish- white, barred narrowly with black... 13. Pt. lichtensteini. c. Black bar on forehead, divided in the centre by a white spot; throat and abdomen black ; black bar crosses the breast, between which and the abdomen is a broad white band 14. Pt. decoratus. 1. PTEROCLES PERSONATUS. Pterocles personatus, Gould, Voy. ' Sulphur,' Zool. pl. 30 (1843); id. P. Z. S. (1843), p. 15; Grav, Gen. B. vol. iii. p. 519 (1845); Reich. Syn. Av. Gallinae (1851),"pl. ccviii. figs. 1821, 1822. Hab. Madagascar. This is one of the largest species of the genus, readily recognized from its relatives by the entirely black forehead and chin. M. Grrandidier informs m e that it is very abundant in Madagascar, where he has shot many, and that its flesh is palatable. In its economy and habits it does not differ from the other members of the genus. Male. Forehead and chin jet black. Lower part of throat and sides of face buffy-white. Top of head, occiput, upper part of back and breast dark isabelline or vinous. Middle of back dark brown, greyish tinge on some feathers; rest of back, rump, aud upper tail-coverts black, barred narrowly with light buff. Wings uniform, like the breast; a few of the greater coverts tipped with brownish black, forming three irregular bars upon the wing. Inner secondaries dark grey, tipped with vinous. Primaries dark chocolate-brown, with light edges on the inner webs. Abdomen, flanks, and vent barred narrowly with black and rufous ; the feathers nearest the breast barred with black and buffy white. Under tail-coverts light chestnut. Tail brownish black, barred with white (these broadest and most numerous on the outer webs), the feathers largely tipped with white. Bill apparently bluish, with dark tips. Feet black. Total length 13| inches; wing 9f, tail 5, bill along gape f. Female. Throat and sides of face buffy white; breast vinous. Entire upper parts and wings pale buff, barred irregularly with black. Primaries dark brown, with light edges and tips. 'Flanks and |