238 PHASIANID.E. 



below within a couple of miles of the neutral ground. Mr. Stark, 

 in February 1876, found " large packs of this Partridge on the 

 Sierra Nevada at an elevation of some 7000 feet." 



Almost every Spanish sportsman, or cazador, keeps one or more 

 of these birds as call-birds (reclames}, each wretched Partridge 

 being confined in a cage which is so small that the unfortunate 

 bird has scarcely room to turn round. To add to this cruelty, at 

 certain seasons they are never given water, as it is supposed to 

 be fatal to them ; but in a wild state they drink a great deal, and 

 during the scorching month of August, and the first half of 

 September, one of the favourite Spanish methods of shooting 

 them is to make a hiding-place (puesto) near their drinking- 

 haunt, placing call-birds on each side of the water out of the line 

 of fire so that, when a covey comes to drink, as many as possible 

 may be mowed down at once by the concealed " sportsman," who, 

 throughout the whole year, regardless of the season, shoots them 

 whenever he can, the acme of his diversion being to shoot a 

 Partridge from the nest. However, it may as well be mentioned 

 that these men shoot for profit, not for sport. In spite of this 

 ceaseless persecution, Partridges do not decrease, which is truly 

 wonderful. Since the above was written a close-season has been 

 established, but not observed. 



Light-coloured and white varieties of the Eed-legged Partridge 

 are of not unfrequent occurrence : for some years in succession 

 there was a white covey near the Guadiarro on the road to 

 Gaucin. They breed in May, and the eggs vary greatly in size, 

 being subject to the same variations as those of C. petrota, but 

 usually larger than the eggs of that bird, although sometimes 

 smaller. 



Sexes alike, except that male has knobs or blunt spurs on legs. Black 

 gorget or collar from bill through eyes, enclosing a white throat ; dirty 

 white below this collar, spotted and streaked with black ; bill, eyelids, and 

 legs red ; tail chestnut, of fourteen feathers. Length 14 inches. 



