Rock- Pa rtridges. 187 



and stony ravines about the bases of 

 hill ranges. During the spring and 

 summer they are found in pairs or singly ; 

 in the winter they are occasionally to be 

 met with in small coveys, but by no 

 means so frequently as Caccabis; nor do 

 they collect, as far as my observations 

 extend, in equal numbers. They may 

 usually be seen walking quietly up stony 

 hillsides, not running so swiftly as most 

 Partridges, nor caring much for conceal- 

 ment ; indeed, when they wish to hide, 

 it is sufficient for them to remain still, 

 for their colour so closely resembles that 

 of the sand and stones around that they 

 are most difficult to detect. When they 

 rise, it is much like a Quail, with a rather 

 quick flight, and a whistle uttered as they 

 start." 



The Seesee appears to breed in April, 

 May and June, and the eggs are laid in 

 a depression scratched by the birds near 

 or under a bush or a rock or sometimes 

 in the midst of loose stones. The de- 

 pression is lined with a little dry grass 

 and sometimes a feather or two. The 

 eggs vary from eight to twelve in number. 

 They are oval in shape and have little 

 gloss. Their colour varies from almost 

 pure white to a pale cream colour, and 



