Capt. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 385 



may be syllabled " thuk-thuk-tliuk-pateela-pateela-piiteela." 

 With regard to its perching on " low trees and shrubs/^ as stated 

 by Dr. Jerdon^ I would refer the reader to Dr. Adams's state- 

 ment (MYanderings of a Naturalist in India/ p. 71). When 

 found near villages, this species has got the unenviable reputa- 

 tion of feeding on human faeces ; but I must say, with Dr. Jerdon, 

 that this accusation is probably unjust ; for I never saw it do so, 

 or found it to be the case. 



823. Ortygornis gularis. Kyah Partridge. 



I have found this fine Francolin plentifully about Caragola 

 Ghaut, on the Ganges, where Dr. Jerdon and I had good sport 

 with it. I have observed it also at Rajhmehal in sandy jungle- 

 covered " churs" in the river, and near Colgong, on higher ground 

 or hedges, when the river was flooded in October. I have also 

 flushed what I am nearly sure was this species in wooded nullahs 

 in the terai, near Julpigoorie. It is undoubtedly our largest 

 Indian Partridge, and gives grand sport. Dr. Jerdon's account 

 of its habit is very good. 



824. Arboricola. torqueola. Black-throated Hill-Par- 

 tridge. 



I have seen this bird only on the higher hills near Darjeeling 

 and in Sikkim, where, however, according to my experience, it 

 is far from common. On one occasion, in 1862, 1 observed some 

 examples in thick dwarf bamboo on my way up to Mount 

 Tongloo, at an elevation of about 8000 feet. 



825. Arboricola rufogularis. Rufous-throated Hill- 

 Partridge. 



This species, on the contrary, is much more abundant in 

 Sikkim, and near Darjeeling inhabits a lower zone than the 

 preceding, of from 4000 to 8000 feet in elevation. It is found 

 generally in coveys*, and numbers are captured by the Lepchas, 

 by calling them within shot, and taken into the station of Dar- 

 jeeling for sale. These birds frequent such dense cover, that 



* This is my experience of them, the reverao of what Mr. Blyth says 

 (Ibis, 1867, p. lo9) is their habit. I well remember noticing the fact, 

 because this was the first Indian Partridge I had seen associating in any 

 numbers. 



