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.