HAMATORTYX SANGUINICEPS, Sharpe.

Crimson-vented Partridge.

Hematortyx sanguinceps, Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 266.

 

Bur a few years have elapsed since the name of the Lawas river in North-western Borneo was impressed
upon the minds of ornithologists by the discovery of the fine new Pheasant which was described as Lobiophasis
bulwert by Mr. Sharpe, and figured by me in the present work. I have now the pleasure of introducing to
my readers another game-bird from the same locality, which, although not so showy as the Bulwer’s Pheasant,
is almost as interesting a novelty as that bird. The present species has been described by Mr. Bowdler
Sharpe, and has been by him very rightly made the type of a new genus. The -bird bears a certain
resemblance to the Crested Partridges of Malacca and Borneo belonging to the genus Rodulus; and Mr.
Treacher, the discoverer of the new species, says that it is known to the natives by the name of Serookan,
which is the same name that they apply to the Rodwus. The genus Hematortye differs from Rodlulus in

 

having a larger nail to the hind toe, but more especially by the form of the crest,—very feebly developed in
the former genus, which likewise entirely wants the long hairs of the forehead that form such a distinguishing
feature in Rollulus.

Only one single specimen was obtained by Mr. Treacher; and this typical bird is now in the Oxford
Museum along with the rest of that gentleman’s collection. Unfortunately no particulars were sent with
the bird; so that not only are we ignorant of its habits, but even the sex of the specimen itself was not
declared ; hence it is impossible to hazard even a conjecture as to whether the bird is a male or a female.
To settle this point one ought to look for the spur on the leg: there is none, however, and yet the bird has

all the appearance of being a male.

The following description is taken from Mr. Sharpe’s paper in ‘ The Ibis ’—

“ Adult. General colour above dark sepia-brown; the wings like the back; tail-feathers blackish; crown
of head, which is slightly crested, deep crimson, the nape also of this colour, with blackish tips to the
feathers, all the plumes of the crown with narrow buff shaft-lines ; sides of face dull crimson ; the ear-coverts,

cheeks, and throat light fawn-colour, with a slight wash of crimson on the chin; lower throat, fore neck, and

hestnut ; remainder of under surface of body dark sepia-brown, with paler edges to most of

chest deep c
under tail-coverts black, the longer ones bright crimson.

the feathers ; under wing-coverts like the breast ;
_ . = ° ©). a re pr)

Total length 12°65 inches, culmen 0°85, wing 5°88, tail 2 8, tarsus 1°85.
The Plate represents two figures drawn from the typical specimen, of about the size of life. I am indebted

to Professor Rolleston for permission to draw the unique specimen in the Oxford Museum.