Dy

SF

ITHAGINIS GEOFFROYIL, J. Verr.

Geoffroy’s Francolin.

Ithaginis Geoffroyii, J. Verr. Bull. Soc. d’Acclim., 2de série, 1867, tom. iv. p. 706.—Elliot, Mon. of Phas. pl.
—Gray, Hand-list of Birds, part il. p. 264.—Swinh. Proc. Zool. Soc., 1871, p. 400.

Ir is always a matter of great interest to ornithologists when a new species is discovered of a form of which
there was previously but a single representative known; and it is of equal interest to me to publish in the
‘ Birds of Asia’ figures of both sexes of the new bird here represented thus early after its existence has been
placed on record. Figures and descriptions, together with all the information that has been acquired
respecting the bird, have also recently appeared in Mr. Elliot’s fine ‘ Monograph of the Phasianide ;’ and it
is with the kind permission of that gentleman that I transcribe and give below the account therein published.

In my history of the older known species, Ithaginis cruentus, 1 have assigned to it the trivial name of
Sanguine Francolin, while Mr. Elliot, regarding the present bird as a member of the Phasianide, gives to it
that of Geoffroy’s Blood-Pheasant. Mr. G. RB. Gray, on the other hand, places the two species among the
Perdicine ; thus it will be seen that a difference of opinion exists as to the place this singular and interesting
form should occupy among the Gallinacee ; their general contour and the existence of two or more spurs on
each of their tarsi induce me to associate them with the Francolins.

The following is Mr. Elliot’s account of Ithaginis Geoffroyii :—

“This Blood-Pheasant, being only the second species of the genus yet known to ornithologists, was first
obtained by M. Dabry, Consul of France at Hankow, who sent his specimens to the Acclimatization Society
of Paris. It is not so handsome a bird as its relative, but is interesting as being the only representative of
the Himalayan species yet discovered. M. Verreaux, in an article published in the Bulletin of the Accli-
matization Society of Paris, says of this Pheasant that ‘it is easy to see, by the description we give of the two
sexes, that the species is very distinct from the typical one found upon the mountains of the Himalaya,
described first by General Hardwicke, in the Linnean Transactions, under the name of Phasianus cruentus,
and later, by Temminck, in the Planches Coloriées, as Perdix cruenta—ouly that the individual described by
the latter author as a female was merely a young male without spurs, having a brown plumage, darker than
that of our new species. We are happy to bestow upon this beautiful bird (the second of a genus remaining
so long with but a single representative) the illustrious name of Geoffroy as a mark of our esteem and friend-
ship for M. Albert Geoffroy St.-Hilaire. It was in the north of China that this fine bird was met with.’
No account of the habits or economy has been furnished us ; but, doubtless, as the adventurous naturalists
who are pursuing their investigations in those remote parts become more familiar with it in its native
haunts, they will forward full accounts of its mode of life, which cannot fail to be interesting to all lovers of
Gallinaceous birds.

“ Pere David, who visited Moupin, in North China, after M. Dabry, sent to the Museum at Paris a perfect
series, containing many specimens of all ages and both sexes, of this species.”

Male.—Top of the head lead-colour ; front and line over the eye extending nearly to the ears black ; cheeks
lead-colour, with a central streak of white ; throat rufous ; wing-coverts pale green ; shafts white, margined
on each side with black ; secondaries grey, mottled near the edges; primaries brown, all the shafts bite
underparts grey; centres and ends of feathers light green ; base of feathers blacks with grey margins ;
abdomen greyish brown; tail greyish brown, the feathers edged with red; under tail-coverts black at base,
the rest deep red; shafts white; bill black ; bare space about the eye, and feet and legs, blood-red.

Female.—Top of the head, back, and sides of neck lead-colour 3 front and throat rufous brown. Entire
upper parts brown, finely mottled with light brown; rump slightly lighter (ein the back ; Dee reddish-
brown, finely mottled with black ; tail blackish brown, finely mottled with light brown and whitish; under
tail-coverts blackish, with fine lines of light brown ; bill black ; feet and legs red.

The Plate represents a male, of the natural size, with a reduced figure of a female in the distance.