Letters, Extracts from Correspondence, Notices, S^c. 353 



some account of the Red-legged Partridge of Tientsin. I had 

 not then seen the bird. I have lately had the pleasure of ob- 

 serving a pair in a gentleman's aviary at Amoy, and I send 

 you a slight sketch of them. They were brought down from Che- 

 foo. They are certainly very like the Chukar {Caccabis chukar), 

 but I have no proper description of that bird to which I can 

 refer. I have asked my friend to get me some specimens, dead 

 or alive, from Chefoo, and these I may be able to send home for 

 identification. Meanwhile this note must serve. 



Male rather larger than the female, and with a small blunt 

 spur. In bulk about the size of a French Partridge {Caccabis 

 rufa). Iris deep hazel. Legs and bill pink-red. A black line 

 runs over the forehead, through the eye, round the ear-coverts, 

 and, descending, unites with the corresponding one from the 

 other side in a deep irregular point on the breast. In this 

 black line, just behind the ear, there occurs a light chestnut 

 spot. Prevailing plumage cinereous, purer on the head, rump, 

 and tail, washed elsewhere with light chestnut. Supercilium, 

 starting from just above the eye, white. Quills margined and 

 greater wing-coverts tipped with the same. Flanks^ trans- 

 versely banded with black, rich chestnut, and white. Rest of 

 lower parts white, tinged with grey and light chestnut-bufi". 

 Sexes similar. Plumage compact and smooth. 



This may be the bird which Temminck has noted from Japan 

 as Perdix rubra. I can hardly believe it is the true Chukar, 

 and should think it extremely likely it will turn out new. 



On the 8th of December, I procured a fine male of Euplo- 

 comus swinhoii in beautiful plumage. It was brought to me 

 from a distant station in the interior of this island, and I for- 

 warded it to Hong Kong, whence it was shipped to Dr. Squire, 

 at Calcutta, for the London Gardens. I trust it may arrive 

 all safe. This bird is rare, and extremely difficult to procure, 

 as the mountain travelling here is far from safe. My chief bird- 

 hunter was neai-ly mvirdered and robbed of fifty pounds, the 

 other day, while in search of Deer and this Pheasant. The 

 mishap has quite crippled me for the present; but I am en- 

 gaging another man, and hope to get additional specimens o £ 



N. S. VOL. I. 2 b 



