THE BARE-THROATED FRANCOLINS. 139 



at first confounded with that species, but is really perfectly dis- 

 tinct. 



vi. swainson's bare-throated francolin. pternistes 



SWAINSONI. 



Perdix swainsoni, Smith, Rep. Exp. Centr. Afr. p. 54 (1836). 

 Francolimis swainsoni, Smith, 111. Zool. S. Afr. Birds, pi. 12 



(.838). 



Ptemistes szvai/tsoni, Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. p. 587 

 (1884); Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 179 

 (1893)- 



Adult Male. — General colour of plumage umber-brown, finely 

 dotted with black ; most of the feathers of the breast and belly 

 margined on the sides with chestnut ; naked skin round eye 

 and on throat rose-red ; upper mandible black, lower red ; feet 

 and toes blackish, with a ruddy tinge. A pair of long sharp 

 spurs. Total length, 14 inches; wing, 8; tail, 3-1 ; tarsus, 2-4. 



Adult Female. — Differs in having most of the feathers of the 

 breast and belly devoid of chestnut margins. No spurs. Smaller; 

 wing, 6*9 inches. 



Eange. — South Africa; Matabele, Transvaal, and Damaraland. 



Habits — The habits of this species appear to be very similar 

 to those of Francolifius capensis. In Matabele-land Mr. Buck- 

 ley tells us that this bird is called " Pheasant " by the colonists, 

 and is generally found in coveys which, like those of the other 

 species of this genus, are extremely difficult to flush, and always 

 prefer, if possible, to escape by running. They are generally 

 met with in the neighbourhood of small streams, coming out 

 into the open in daytime, and passing the night in the brush- 

 wood, where they roost in the trees. Their food, like that of 

 the rest of their kind, consists chiefly of bulbs, seeds, berries, 

 and insects. 



Eggs. — Six and probably more in number; rather round; 

 pinkish cream-colour, finely speckled all over with chalky-white. 

 ]VIeasurements, 17 by r$ inch.. 



