422 Manual of the Game Birds of India, 



me to approach within thirty yards before 

 they ceased their battle." 



This Florican has the habit, when 

 running or walking, of raising its tail " the 

 lateral feathers diverging downwards, 

 while those of the centre are the most 

 elevated, as is seen in domestic fowls," etc. 

 (Jerdon). 



Birds of both sexes of this species are 

 in the habit of springing up into the air 

 during the nesting season with a low 

 clucking cry. 



The Lesser Florican breeds chiefly 

 during the months of September and 

 October in the neighbourhood of Shola- 

 pur ; in April and May in Southern 

 India ; and in July, August and September 

 near Deesa. The eggs, varying in number 

 from two to four, are laid in a slight 

 hollow of the ground in thin grass jungle 

 or low scrub jungle. In shape they are 

 generally oval, sometimes almost spherical 

 and occasionally pyriform. They are 

 fairly glossy and smooth. The ground- 

 colour is generally some shade of dull 

 green and the egg is covered with numer- 

 ous blotches and streaks of brown, reddish 

 brown and olive-brown. The eggs mea- 

 sure from 177 to 2'o6 in length, and from 

 1*5 to 17 in breadth. 



