110 



THE COMMON FRANCOLIN. 



Perdix francolinus LATHAM. 



PLATE VI. 



Perdix francolinus, Latham, General History, viii. p. 271. 

 Le Francolin, Buffon, PL enluminee, M. and F. pis. 147 

 and 148. Francolin a Colier Rousse, Temminck, Pigeons 

 et GaUinaces, iii. p. 340. 



THE Common Francolin has been placed at the 

 extremity of those with one or more spurs upon 

 the legs, of a very much barred and spotted plu- 

 mage, the bill stronger, the tail more lengthened, 

 and forms the genus Francolinus of Stephens. All 

 the members of it perch as well as frequent the 

 ground, and in some of the species, the legs are 

 armed with spurs of very great strength and sharp- 

 ness. We have represented the common bird, as it is 

 the only European species, though not the most ty- 

 pical. 



The Francolin is a native of the south of Europe, 

 Sicily, and the islands of the Greek Archipelago, 

 Africa, and India, where it inhabits the marshy 

 grounds, and thence has received the name of Mea- 

 dow Partridge. In Africa, particularly upon the 

 coast of Barbary, and in India, it is every where 

 esteemed for its excellency at the table, and ad- 



