128 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



small coveys of ten or twelve birds. They lie close, and when 

 flushed scatter and fly low and straight down and around 

 the mountain-sides at great speed. The plumage is brownish 

 and barred all over, with a distinguishing chestnut collar : 

 total length (male) about ii| inches ; (female) about io| inches. 

 This bird affords similar sport to the Snow-partridge, and is 

 also excellent eating. 



BAMBOO-PARTRIDGE 



This bird [Bamhusicola thoracica) is very common in 

 western Szechuan up to 2000 feet elevation, but I never met 

 with it in the eastern part of the province nor in Hupeh. It 

 is commonly found in clumps of Bamboo around houses, more 

 rarely in dense scrub and margins of copses. A ditch over- 

 grown with rank weeds and shrubs is its favourite haunt. It 

 is usual to find coveys of ten to twelve birds ; they lie very close, 

 and will not take wing until hard pressed by the dog. They 

 skulk and run, and, when forced, rise in a " bunch " with much 

 noise, and scatter in all directions. They do not travel far on 

 the wing, and usually two or three merely fly up into the nearest 

 bush ; it is seldom, too, that the whole covey takes flight, one 

 or two stragglers generally skulk behind. The bird is swift 

 on the wing, flying low and straight to the nearest Bamboo 

 clump or thicket. In consequence of this and the fact of 

 their usually being found near houses, the shooting is highly 

 dangerous. It is always snap-shooting, and people are every- 

 where around, so that the sport is tantalizing at best. 



This bird is a rather gross feeder, and might almost be 

 termed a scavenger. The flesh is white, but often strong 

 flavoured. When found some distance removed from houses 

 where they have fattened on sweet potato, pulse, and grass 

 seeds, they are reaUy good eating. Around Kiating this bird 

 is very common. The throat and breast is bright chestnut 

 with a grey crescent across the chest ; crown, grey ; back, 

 greyish-olive with chestnut markings ; wings with pale 

 greyish marking ; belly, buff ; sides spotted with very dark 

 chestnut ; tail, dull chestnut with pale vermiculations ; total 

 length, II to 12 inches. Female similar to male. 



