238 INDIAN SPOKTING BIRDS 



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AmmopenUx honhami. Sisi, Hindustani. 



The sandy colour of the Seesee partridge, which much 

 resembles that of the sand-grouse, whose desert dominion it 

 invades, is a striking distinction from all our other partridges ; 

 indeed, of these only the chukor is ever likely to be found along 

 with it, and the red legs and conspicuous necklace of this are 

 very distinctive points, as well as its much larger size; the 

 Seesee is a very small partridge, only weighing about half a 

 pound. 



As in the case of the sand-grouse, whose more pigeon-like 

 build at once distinguishes it from the Seesee, the two sexes 

 have plumage which, though producing the same sandy effect, 

 and closely assimilating them to the soil, is yet different in 

 detail. The hen's is obscurely pencilled, but has no distinct or 

 striking markings ; the cock is rather peppered, and has some 

 distinct colour touches in the chestnut and black streaking on his 

 sides, which rather recalls that of the chukor, but is longitudinal 

 instead of transverse ; the delicate grey on the head and throat, 

 set off by a black eye stripe, are also distinctive of him, and he 

 has a bright orange bill. "When showing off to the hen, he stands 

 erect, and puffs out his striped flank-feathers so as to make him- 

 self look rather like a goblet or a lady in a crinoline. He has no 

 spurs, and is believed not to fight ; but I should think that very 

 doubtful. 



Seesee are only found in the desert hills in the North-west, 

 and even in such districts they prefer the barest rocky ground ; 

 though, as they feed on seeds and herbage, they not unfrequently 

 come on to grassy places. But even scrub they usually avoid, 

 for they need no cover, since all they have to do is to sit tight 

 if they want to hide. Being great runners, and often over very 

 bad ground at that, and having a trick of shooting straight down- 

 hill, they do not give much chance of a shot ; in some places, 

 however, they are remarkably tame ; they give a rather harsh 

 whistle when rising, but their characteristic call is the soft 

 dissyllable which is imitated in their native name. They breed 



