[Oase 15.] 
[Case 16.} 
[Case 16. ] 
[Case 16.} 
- 
30 BIRD GALLERY. 
in possessing a series of small bones above the eye, known as the 
supra-orbital chain (see skull). The toes are provided with peculiar 
long, nearly straight nails. With the exception of the Common 'ree- 
Partridge (A. ¢torqueola) (143) here exhibited, the plumage is alike in 
both males and females. All are inhabitants of the thick jungle 
covering the higher hills, the common species occasionally ranging 
in the Outer Himalaya to an elevation of 14,000 feet above sea-level, 
As their name implies, these birds are given to perching on trees, 
especially on the approach of danger, but for the most part they live 
on the ground, running actively to and fro in search of insects and 
vegetable food. The eggs are pure white, with a fine, rather glossy shel}. 
The Crimson-headed Wood-Partridge (Hematortyx) (145) is a beau- 
tiful form inhabiting the mountain-forests and jungles of North Borneo, 
The legs of the male are armed with two or three pairs of spurs. 
Other Malayan genera are the Ferruginous Wood-Partridge (Calo- 
perdix) (146) and the Black Wood-Partridge (Melanoperdix) (141), a 
peculiar type worthy of special notice on account of its unusually stout 
and thick bill. 
The Red-legged Partridges (Caccabis) (148-151) form a small group, 
the members of which may be recognised by the brownish-grey tint of 
their upper plumage and bold handsome barring on the sides. The males 
and females do not differ from one another in plumage, but the former 
may be recognised by the stout blunt spurs on the legs. Of the six 
forms known, four are exhibited, including the black-headed Arabian 
species, the largest member of the genus (151), the Common Red-legged 
(149) and Barbary Partridges (150), which are the handsomest. 
As will be seen on the small map showing its distribution, the Chukar 
(C. chukar) (148), so well known to sportsmen, has a very wide range. 
It varies immensely in size and colour in different localities, which is to 
be expected of a bird which occurs from sea-level to an elevation 
of at least 16,000 feet. The palest forms are found in such arid neigh- 
bourhoods as Bushire at the head of the Persian Gulf, while the darkest 
and most richly-coloured birds here exhibited inhabit the Ionian 
Islands, Cyprus, Asia Minor, and the outer ranges of the Himalaya wher. 
vegetation is more plentiful. 
In the closely allied Seesee Partridges (Ammoperdix) (152), the sexes 
differ from one another in plumage. They inhabit bare broken ground 
and desolate hill-sides, where their colours harmonise with their 
surroundings and afford them protection. 
The Francolins (Francolinus) (153-162) are a very numerous group 
including nearly fifty different species, five of which are Asiatic and the 
remainder African. With the exception of the Painted Francolin 
(PF. pictus) (164), the legs of the males and, in some species of the females 
