EASTERN OR BURMESE FRANCOLIN 235 



rendered by Wardlaw Ramsay as kul-, kuk, kuicJi, kd, kd. 

 When calling it perches on a stump or branch. In Kaiennee 

 it frequents the slopes of rocky hills, and in Pegu scrub jungle, 

 waste land and open places in forests, and is partial to bamboo 

 jungle, sometimes coming into paddy fields after harvest, though 

 it avoids open country as a rule. It is fond, however, of the 

 thick cover of deserted clearings. In the Thayetmyo district it 

 is very common and appears more or less independent of v.ater, 

 which is here scarce ; Oates suggests that this is probably due 

 to its food consisting largely of buds and shoots, as well as 

 insects. It does not seem to be much of a grain feeder, and is 

 rarely seen in stubble. 



It will only rise when driven by beaters from its cover, and 

 even then drops again as soon as possible, though it is a strong 

 flyer and gives a sporting shot. It is good eating, according to 

 Schomburgk, who met with it in Siam, and was told it roosted 

 in trees. It is also found commonly in South China, Hainan, 

 and Hongkong. 



It seems to breed chiefly in Upper Pegu with us, and 

 lays from four to eight eggs, which are very like those of the 

 black partridge, unspotted and of a greenish cream, bull", or 

 stone-colour. The nests found have been on the ground, but 

 Schomburgk was told that in Siam these birds nested in trees. 

 There also he found it frequenting rice-fields and pasture-grounds 

 in flocks, which does not agree with its habits in our territory, 

 where it does not much affect cultivation and is not social, 

 though many may be found in one place ; this is perhaps what 

 Schomburgk means, and at any rate Swinhoe expressly says that 

 in Hongkong it is solitary and does not associate in coveys, 

 which is the character of these spotted francolins generally. 

 Swinhoe also says the flesh is insipid, which also is more in 

 accordance with what is known of the other species, though 

 much of course in matters of flavour depends on local or 

 seasonal circumstances ; no doubt grain-fed birds might be as 

 good as our home partridges, as Schomburgk says these are. 



