SWAMP PAKTRIDGE 229 



occur in the Snndarbans, and that it sometimes is found on 

 land of as much as 4,000 feet elevation. Some of its haunts 

 are so low that it is driven by floods to take to the trees in 

 the rains, or to leave its home altogether and resort to cultiva- 

 tion or bush-jungle. It is rare to find it in grass low enough 

 to go after it on foot, and when on cultivated land the birds 

 have a sentry posted on some bush. They are found in pairs, 

 threes or coveys, and are more noisy and quarrelsome, if 

 anything, than their smaller relative the grey partridge, whose 

 call their own resembles, but with the last syllable cut off; 

 evidences of their desperate battles are found in the honourable 

 scars which adorn the breast of so many specimens, but these 

 veterans are but dry eating, as may well be supposed. 

 Their asserted enmity to the black partridge has been doubted, 

 on the ground that the two species may in some places be 

 flushed out of the same grass cover, but it is probable that in 

 the breeding-season this large and fierce bird is a serious enemy 

 to other partridges of smaller size, though there may be a 

 truce at other times. At any rate, those who value the fine 

 black partridge should have an eye on the " grass chukor " till 

 he has been proved innocent ; though as a rule his preferences 

 in the matter of habitat must make him harmless in most cases. 



If worked for from elephants, the kyah gives very good 

 sport, but its flustering, cackling rise is rather trying at first 

 to the nerves of behemoth if not to his rider. From the high 

 cover it affects the breeding of this species is naturally not 

 much under observation ; the eggs seem to be five in number, 

 and are slightly darker than those of the grey partridge, and 

 likewise differ in being sparingly marked with pale brown or 

 lilac at the large end, having in this, it must be admitted, a 

 slight resemblance to the real chukor's eggs. The nest is on 

 the ground among high grass, and has been found in April. 



Besides Bhil-titur, this bird is called Bun and Jungli-titur 

 in Hindustani ; Kaijah is another Bengali name, and the 

 Assamese is Koera ; Koi is also used in Assam. 



