Alfred Newton

“ The sand-grouse assimilates in general colour to that of the ground, being above of a dull ochreous hue, more or less barred or mottled by darker shades, while beneath it is frequently varied by belts of deep brown intensifying into black. Lighter tints are, however, exhibited by some species and streaks or edgings of an almost pure white relieve the prevailing sandy or fawn-coloured hues that especially characterize the group. The sexes seem always to differ in plumage, that of the male being the brightest and most diversified. ”

“ The genus Syrrhaptes, though in general appearance resembling Pterocles, has a conformation of foot quite unique among birds, the three anterior toes being encased in a common “podotheca,” which is clothed to the claws with hairy feathers, so as to look much like a fingerless glove. The hind toe is wanting. The two species of Syrrhaptes are S. tibetanus—the largest sand-grouse known—inhabiting the country whence its trivial name is derived, and S. paradoxus, ranging from N. China across Central Asia to the confines of Europe, which it occasionally invades. ”

“ Yule, i. p. 239) ; and the “Loung-Kio” or “Dragon's Foot,” so unscientifically described by the Abbé Huc (Souvenirs d'un Voyage dans la Tartarie, i. p. 244) , can scarcely be anything else than this bird. ”