THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES. 93 



Afghanistan and several other localities approach them closely 

 in colour. 



Mr. Hume says : " The Chukor may be found in different 

 localities from sea-level, as in Southern Sind and Beluchi- 

 stan, to an elevation of at least 16,000 feet, as in Ladak and 

 Tibet 



" It will be found in comparatively well wooded, watered, 

 and cultivated hills, as throughout the lower, southern, or outer 

 ranges of the Himalayas ; in absolute deserts, like those of 

 Ladak and the Karakoram plateaux; or in utterly barren 

 rocky ranges, like those of the Mekran and Arabian coasts, 

 where the abomination of desolation seems to reign enshrined. 



"In one place it faces a noon-day temperature of 150° Fahr.; 

 in another, braves a cold, about daybreak, little above zero ; 

 here it thrives where the annual rainfall exceeds 100 inches, 

 and there flourishes where it is practically 7iiL But all these 

 differences in physical environment affect appreciably the size 

 and colour of the species ; and hence the numerous races 

 which, under a variety of names [rupicola, altaiai, sinaita, 

 paUescens^ picbescens, arenarius^ pallidus^ ^^'), have been at one 

 time or another elevated to the rank of species 



" The Chukor is a very noisy bird, repeating constantly in a 

 sharp, clear tone, that may be heard for a mile or more 

 through the pure mountain air, his own well-applied trivial 

 name. Like other Game-Birds, they call most in the mornings 

 and evenings ; but even when undisturbed, they may be heard 

 calling to each other at all hours of the day ; and very soon 

 after a covey has been dispersed, each individual member may 

 be heard proclaiming his own, and anxiously enquiring after 

 all his fellows' whereabouts. The tone varies. First he says, 

 'I'm here, I'm here'; then he asks, ' Who's dead? Who's dead?'; 

 and when he is informed of the untimely decease of his pet 

 brother and favourite sister, or perhaps his eldest son and 

 heir, he responds, ' Oh lor ! Oh lor ! ' in quite a mournful 

 tone." 



