1 62 ALLEN'S naturalist's LIBRARY. 



Range. — Outer ranges of the Himalayas, from 5,000 to 14,000 

 feet, and extending from the eastern borders of Chamba to 

 Sikhim, and southwards to the Manipur Hills.* 



Wilson gives the following account of this species : — " This 

 handsome little Partridge inhabits the forests and jungles, and 

 is never found in open spots or cultivated fields. It is most 

 numerous on the lower ranges in the wooded ravines and hill- 

 sides, from the summit to near the base, but does not occur at 

 the foot of the hills or low down in the valleys. It is not so 

 common in the interior, but is met with to an elevation of 

 about 9,000 feet. It is rather solitary in its habits, generally 

 found in pairs ; but occasionally, in autumn and winter, five or 

 six will collect together and keep about one spot. 



"It is a quiet, unsuspicious bird; when alarmed it utters 

 a soft whistle, and generally creeps away through the under- 

 wood, if not closely pressed, in preference to rising. Its flight 

 is rapid, oftener across the hill than downwards, and seldom 

 very far; in general, not more than eighty or one hundred 

 yards. Its food being very similar, it is met with in the same 

 places as the Koklass Pheasant, and both are often found to- 

 gether. Indeed, in winter, in some of the forests of the in- 

 terior, Tragopans, Moonal, Koklass, and Kalij Pheasants, and 

 the Hill Partridge, are at all times all found within a compass 

 of fifty or sixty yards. 



" It feeds on leaves, roots, maggots, seeds, and berries ; in 

 confinement it will eat grain ; in a large cage or enclosure its 

 motions are very lively, and it runs about with great sprightli- 

 ness from one part to another. It occasionally mounts into 

 the trees, but not so often as a forest bird might be expected to 

 do. 



" In the forests of the interior, in spring, it is often heard 

 calling at all hours of the day. The call is a single loud soft 

 whistle, and may be easily imitated so as to entice the bird 



* I have seen specimens obtained by Col. Godwin-Austen in this 

 locaHty. 



