98 PAETRIDGES. 



it differs somewhat in its habits and haunts. It ranges all over North 

 China, across Mongolia into Siberia. 



This bird inhabits all kinds of country. Coveys may be flushed 

 in the thick patches of sage brush on the open plains or away up on 

 the long, grassy slopes of the highest mountains up to an altitude of 

 9,000 or 10,000 feet. Unlike the chukar, it is perfectly silent, and, 

 at the first sign of danger, crouches down and lies very close. I have 

 sat for an hour within a few feet of a covey of these birds, which only 

 broke cover when I rose abruptly to go. Perdix sifanicus inhabits 

 Southern Kansu. 



In South China the partridge is replaced by the francolin. (Franco- 

 linus chinensis) a bird included in the same sub-family, but differing 

 from the true partridges in having one or more pairs of well developed 

 spurs. 



The red-legged partridges or chukars, which form the genus 

 Caccabis, differ very markedly from the members of the genus Perdix. 

 They are larger, and more strikingly coloured, and have very different 

 habits. They are mainly characterized by their conspicuous trans- 

 versely barred sides, a cream patch on the throat, edged with black, 

 and their red legs and beaks. The rest of their plumage is of a mauve- 

 grey, shading into light blue-grey on the breast, and buff under the 

 tails. The tail feathers, which number fourteen are of a bright brick- 

 red colour. 



There are several species in this genus. The representative 

 in Great Britain is known as the French partridge (Caccabis rufa), while 

 the form common to China is the chukar (Caccabis chukar), which 

 ranges from the Grecian Islands right across Asia into North-eastern 

 China. 



The chukar is essentially a bird of wild, rocky districts, though in 

 Shansi, Shensi and Kansu it also makes its home in the loess hills, 

 frequenting the deep ravines and gullies. From September till March 

 it may be found in great coveys, sometimes containing as many as 

 forty birds. Though, owing to its protective colouring,, it is extremely 

 difficult to detect in its natural surroundings, the chukar has a foolish 

 habit, of cackling, thus betraying its whereabouts to the hunter. In 

 districts where it is plentiful its aggressive cackle may be heard on all 

 sides, when a careful survey will usually reveal several rival cock birds 

 perched upon prominent rocks and spurs, giving full vent to their feel- 

 ings over the presence of an intruder. This characteristic call may bo 

 rendered by the three syllables "Gua ke he" repeated rapidly five cr 

 six times. 



