THE DECCAN AND SOUTH MAHRATTA COUNTRY. 421 



westtrn portion of the region. I never saw it in the station of 

 Belgaum, but iu some parts of the adjoining country it is 

 common. It appears to visit Ratnagiri only in the cold 

 weather, and somewhat irregularly, being abundant some 

 seasons, and absent altogether in others, avoiding the Ghats, as 

 a rule. 



797.— Turtur tranquebaricus, Eerm. The Ruddy 

 Ring-Dove. 



Permanent resident in some localities. Locally not uncom- 

 mon throughout the region, but in some districts it is rare or 

 absent. In Ratnagiri Mr. Vidal has only met with it on one 

 occasion, and it is not common about Belgaum. 



798.— Chalcophaps indica, Lin. The Emerald 

 Ground Dove. 



Probably a permanent resident. Occurs doubtless sparingly 

 in suitable localities all along the Sahyadri range. I procured 

 it at Khandala, and Mr. Vidal along the Shastri river in Ratna- 

 giri. It usually frequents dense forests. 



800.— Pterocles fasCiatus, Scop. The Painted Sand- 

 Grouse. 



Permanent resident. Not uncommon in suitable localities, 

 throughout the plains portion of the region as far south, at all 

 events, as Belgaum, and as far north as Nagar. In Ratnagiri 

 it is unknown. It is most abundant in scrub jungle at the 

 base of low rocky hills. 



802.— Pterocles exustus, Tern. The Common Sand- 

 Grouse, 



Permanent resident. Common throughout the region, 

 excepting in Ratnagiri and the forest tracts, where it does not 

 occur. It affects dry open country. 



803.— Pavo cristatus, Lin. The Common Peacock. 



Permanent resident. Very common in the jungles about 

 Belgaum, aud occurs all along the Sahyadri range and in the 

 adjoining forests, including Ratnagiri, but it has been so per- 

 secuted by sportsmen and Phansi Pardis that it is not very 

 common now in most localities. It is essentially a jungle bird 

 in this part of the country. 



813.— Gallus sonnerati, Tern. The Grey Jungle- 

 Fowl. 



Permanent resident. Tolerably common all along the Sahya- 

 dri range from Goa to Khandala and in the adjoining forests, 



54 



