FRANCOLINUS SWAIXSONII. 



wrinkled. Wings when folded reach nearly to the commencement of the last 

 half of the tail ; the first quill feather very narrow and spurious, the fourth, 

 fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, nearly of equal lengths, and the longest, 

 the second about an inch and a half shorter than the third, and nearly 

 intermediate between it and the longest feathers ; some of the tertiaries 

 rather exceed, in length, the longest primaries. Tarsi, and toes, moderately 

 robust, each of the former armed with two spurs, the lowermost long, slightly 

 curved, and pointed, the uppermost about a line and a half in length, and 

 blunt at the point ; outer toe rather longer than the innermost one ; scales on 

 the hinder parts of the tarsi small, when compared with those in front. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. Lines. 

 Length from the tip of the bill to the 



end of the tail 14 



of the bill from the angle of 



the mouth 1 3 



of the wings when folded 8 3 



Inches. Lines. 



Length of the tail 3 6 



of the tarsiis 2 10 



of the middle toe 1 5 



of the outer toe 1 1 



The female has no spurs to the tarsi, but in other respects she closely re- 

 sembles the male. 



The first specimens of this Francolin were discovered in a valley immediately south of 

 Kurichane, and at a time when they (five in number,) were perched upon the branches of a 

 decayed tree, near the margin of a small rivulet. To trees so circumstanced, these birds 

 generally repair, on the approach of night, and there remain till the break of day again invites 

 them to their feeding places, which are commonly the immediate banks of rivers. Among the 

 grass which clothes such localities, these birds wander during the greater part of the day, and 

 when they are surprised in their retreats, they run with considerable speed, and unless when 

 sharply pressed, generally prefer that manner of effecting their escape to flying. The slightest 

 alarm causes them to bend their course towards the jungle, in the densest parts of which they 

 conceal themselves until the danger is passed, and on such occasions they not unfrequently 

 perch upon shrubs which are fully covered with foliage. When feeding, particularly in the 

 morning, early, and also occasionally towards evening, they utter their harsh and frequent 

 calls, and these are often responded to by others of the species, who may be scattered at a 

 distance in the surrounding valleys. They feed upon small bulbs and insects, and also swallow 

 a considerable quantity of gravel. 



