Ornitholoijij of the Egyptian Soudan. 259 



ironstone forest-country at Ayum. After crossing the Jur 

 River we found it entirely replaced by the yellow-legged 

 F. icterorhynchus. 



270. FltANCOLINUS ICTERORHYNCHUS HcUgl. 



a. S- Chak Chak, 18.2.07. 



h. ? jr. Pougo River, 4. 2. 07. 



This was the only Francolin which we saw on the iron- 

 stone country between Wau and Chak Chak. It is a better 

 flier than the red-legged bird. It was common, and generally 

 in coveys. 



My specimens appear to differ slightly from those in the 

 British Museum, in being rather more sparsely spotted 

 beneath, and in lacking a small blackish patch below the eye, 

 which was present in those that I examined. 



271. Francolinus erckeli (Riipp.). 

 a. S ' Erkowit, 22. 3. 06. 



b- ^' „ „ 



c. ?. 



c?. ? . „ 25. o. 0(3. 



These splendid Francolins were common on Erkowit and 

 were heard all the way up the Kolkilai Pass. They were 

 generally in pairs or in small parties of four or five. In the 

 early morning and evening they were very noisy, repeatedly 

 uttering a loud harsh call, and were then easily approached 

 if stalked quietly. They were not very shy, and preferred 

 walking away to flying, until shot at. On the ground 

 they somehow reminded me of the Ruff'ed Grouse of North 

 America. 



272. Ptilopachys fuscus (Vieill.). 



a. (J. Chak Chak, 19.3.07. 



b. S- Buval, 29. 1.07. 



These Stone-fowl w^ere common in the forests of the iron- 

 stone country from Wau to Chak Chak, and between that 

 station and Dem Zubeir. They were generally met with in 

 parties or in pairs with broods of half-grown young. In the 

 evening they become very noisy, uttering shrill whistling 

 calls. When flushed by a dog they often fly up into trees. 



