_J. Gould and H.C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]
SYNOÏCUS SORDIDUS, _Gould_.
Sombre Partridge.
_Synoïcus sordidus_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XV. p. 33.
With the exception of _S. Sinensis_, this species is the least of the
genus yet discovered; it moreover differs from them all in the absence
of any varied markings, in lieu of which all the feathers of the upper
surface have a broad bluish grey stripe down the middle; in this blue
colouring it evinces an affinity to the _S. Sinensis_, and in all
probability other species intermediate between the two will yet be
discovered.
Two specimens are all that have come under my notice; both of which were
received from South Australia.
Its habits doubtless resemble those of the other members of the genus,
but nothing is at present known respecting them.
General plumage dark brown, minutely freckled with black, each feather
of the upper and under surface with a broad stripe of bluish grey down
the centre; feathers of the head and back of the neck with a spot of
blackish brown at the tip, those down the centre of the head and a few
of the back-feathers with white shafts; chin buff; flank-feathers with
an arrow-head-shaped mark of black near the tip.
The figures are of the natural size.
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