AND TYPES OF EGGS. 35 



Jungle fowl, (Gallus). Are more tropical birds, being found in 

 dense thickets and forests throughout the country. They too are perma- 

 nent residents, breeding where found. The eggs are like those of the 

 Cochin-China fowls. 



Spill fowl, (Galloperdix) . Are confined to rocky ridges and the 

 dense jungles that fringe their bases in central and southern India 

 where they breed. They are shy and wary, and conceal themselves in the 

 densest cover. The eggs vary from creamy white to ec cafe au lait." 



GrOUSe, (Tetraogallus, Lerwa). Are only found near the snow 

 in the alpine Himalayas. They lay boldly blotched eggs as far as has 

 been ascertained, and frequent grassy and rocky slopes near snow. 



Partridges, (Perdix, Francolinus, Caccabis, Ammoperdix, Orti- 

 gornis, Arbor i cola). Of the true partridges only one (P. hodsonice) 

 is found in India. It frequents the alpine Himalayas at great altitude. 

 The black and painted partridges (Francolinus) frequent thick jungle 

 and grass near water and cultivation. The rock partridges (Caccabis, 

 Ammoperdix) frequent rocky hills and open grassy slopes. Of the grey 

 partridges one (0. gularis) is a swamp partridge found only 

 in the Terais, the other is common where there is cover throughout 

 the plains. Wood partridges (Arboricola) are only found in the 

 Himalayas in dense under-wood in forests, and are difficult to flush. 

 Partridges do not migrate and breed wherever found. The eggs of the 

 chukor are spotted. All other partridges lay unspotted, buff, or cream 

 coloured eggs. 



Quails, (Perdiculatj Coturnix, Excaljatoria, Turnix). Some of the 

 quails are migratory, but all that occur in India breed more or less in 

 this country. The bush quails (Perdicula) frequent jungle and under- 

 wood, so does the blue-breasted quail (E. chinensis). The other 

 quails affect cultivation or grassy plains. The eggs of the bush quails 

 are like miniature partridges' eggs. The eggs of the true quails (Coturnix) 

 are boldly blotched ; and those of the bustard quails and button quails 

 are profusely spotted and speckled. 



Bustards, (Eupodolis, Honiara, Sypheotides, Otis) . The great 

 bustard (E. edwardsii) is a permanent resident in the arid portions of 

 continental India, frequenting low scrub and scanty grass jungle. The 

 florikin (S. bengalens^s) is a permanent resident in the dense grass 

 jungles of eastern upper India. The likh (S. auritus) is found through- 

 out India in the cold weather in suitable localities, but as yet it has 



