FRANCOLINUS. CACCABIS. 431 



usually affects grass-beerhs, or preserves, and low bush-jungle, and 

 breeds from the middle or end of July to the end of September, 

 the greater number laying in August." 



The eggs of this species are like those of the Black Partridge, 

 typically very broad and obtuse at the large end and much pointed 

 towards the small end. They are, however, more of the pegtop- 

 shape than these latter, the large end being natter and less sphe- 

 rical. In size they are very much smaller than those of the Common 

 Black Partridge, although in the birds themselves there is no such 

 great difference, I think, in either size or weight. The colour 

 varies a good deal ; some eggs are drabby white with a very faint 

 greenish tinge, others are brownish drab, others cream-colour, 

 and some pale cafe-au-lait. They are spotless and somewhat less 

 glossy than those of the preceding species. 



In length they vary from 1/3 to 1/48, and in breadth from 1/1 

 to 1-25 ; but the average of a score is 1/4 by 1-18. 



Francolinus chinensis (Osb.). The Chinese Partridge. 

 Francolinus chinensis (Osb.), Hume, Rough Draft N. fy E. no. 819 his. 



The Chinese Partridge or Francolin breeds within our limits 

 only, so far as I yet know, in the comparatively dry portions of 

 Upper Pegu. It does not, I believe, occur in the valley of the 

 Irrawacldy lower down than Prome. 



3Ir. Theobald recorded having found a nest of this species at 

 Meadey, a little north-east of Thayetmyo, on the 9th June. It was 

 placed upon the ground, and contained four uniform greenish 

 cream-coloured eggs, measuring 1-4 by 1/5. 



From Thayetmyo Mr. Gates writes that this species " is parti- 

 cularly vociferous in June and July. I have never myself actually 

 taken the eggs, but the Burinans say that the nest is situated at the 

 foot of a bamboo-clump on a hill-side. I have had the eggs brought 

 me in June. They are creamy or buffy white." 



He very kindly also sent me specimens of the eggs taken on the 

 6th June. 



These are much like those of F. pictus ; they are of the usual 

 Francolin, more or less pegtop-shape, are dull and have little gloss, 

 and vary from cream-colour to dingy olive-yellow or pale yellowish 

 stone-colour. They measure 1/45 and 1*51, by 1/2. 



Caccabis chukor (J. E. Gray). The Chukor. 



Caccabis chukor (J. E. Gr.\ Jerd. B. Ind. ii, p. 564 j Hume, Rough 

 Draft N. $ F. no. 820. 



The Chukor breeds throughout the Himalayas (by preference 

 where there are grassy hills and cultivated fields) from Nepal to 

 Afghanistan, and thence throughout the ranges that under various 

 names run down from Attock to the sea dividing the Punjab and 

 Sind from Afghanistan and Khelat. It also breeds in the Salt 



