FRANCOLINUS LEVAILLANTII. 



Form, &c.— Figure moderately robust. Head small. Bill long and 

 slightly arched, the upper mandible much longer than the lower, flattened 

 and spatulatc towards the point, the latter obtuse and semicircular. Wings 

 rounded, and when folded reach a little beyond the base of the tail; the 

 fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers longest, the second and third rather 

 shorten-, and the first a little shorter than the second. Tail rather short and 

 rounded at the point. Tarsi compressed and reticulated, the scales in front 

 large, those behind rather smaller, and what cover the sides the smallest. 

 Toes moderately strong, with distinct rudimentary webs, the web between 

 the outer and middle toes well developed. Claws considerably curved, rather 

 strong and blunt at the points. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. 

 Longtli from tlio point of tlio bill to 



tlio tip of the tail 14. 



of the bill to the angle of the 



mouth 1 



of the wings when folded . . C 



of the tail 2 



Lines. 



8 

 C 



e 



Indies. 



9 



Length of the tarsus 



of the outer toe 



of the middle too 1 



of the inner toe 



of the hinder toe 



Lines. 

 

 11 

 2J 



Male. — Colours nearly the same as those of the female. In some speci- 

 mens each sex has the tarsi armed with a s})ur, in others that appendage is not 

 found in cither. 



Specimens of this Francolin are found in many districts of the Cape Colony; but the num- 

 bers arc greatest towards the sea-coasts, and in the eastern parts of the settlement. They 

 occur chiefly in open grassy plains ; and they seek their food, which consists in a great mea- 

 sure of small bulbous roots, among the herbage. When they are disturbed in their favourite 

 localities, they generally seek concealment in whatever brushwood may exist in the neighbour- 

 hood ; and when once they reach the cover it is no easy matter to get them again on the wing. 

 They continue motionless even though the copse be beaten by dogs ; and as they perch on 

 such occasions, they are rarely discovered but by the hunters, who look for them among the 

 branches. 



This species manifests a considerable resemblance to Francolinus Gariepensis ; but when 

 the two are contrasted many marked differences are palpable. The arrangement and tints of 

 the colours, if no better character existed, would even evince that they are not identical ; 

 but there are more palpable and ready diagnostics by which each is to be recognised. The 

 bill oi F.Lcvaillantu is much longer and stronger than that of F. Gariepensis ; the number 

 and distribution of bands on the neck are different, the tarsi are considerably longer, the feet 

 larger, and the tail is shorter. 



