GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. • . 203 



group are without the warty skin above the eyes possessed by the birds above described ; in some 

 species, however, bare patches are observable on those parts, and on the throat. The plumage is 

 smooth, and very similarly coloured in both sexes. These birds inhabit all portions of the eastern 

 hemisphere, except its extreme north, and frequent every variety of locality from the coast to a very 

 considerable height on mountain ranges. Some species prefer cultivated lands, while others are found 

 in forests where they may occasionally be seen perched on the branches of trees. Their food consists 

 of insects, grain, and portions of plants. The nest is a mere hole scratched in the dry mould, 

 generally under the shelter of some bush or tuft of grass. The eggs, from twelve to twenty in number, 

 are hatched in three weeks time ; the female sits exceedingly close on her nest during this period, 

 especially during the latter part of incubation, and offers a bold resistance to any enemy seeking to 

 plunder her ; but if quietly approached, both she and her eggs may be gently removed, and she will 

 hatch them in confinement, departing with her young to the fields as soon as the latter are able to 

 accompany her. The male takes no part in the labour of incubation, but like all birds that pair, he is 

 attentive to his mate, assists her in defending the brood, and uses many arts to lure intruders from the 

 nest. The young are reared on small insects, larvse, and the eggs of insects ; the parents leading them 

 to the places where these are deposited, and scraping away the mould. Multitudes of ants and larvaa 

 are eaten by young Partridges. 



The SNOW PARTRIDGES (Tetraogallus) may be regarded as combining the characteristics of 

 both the Ptarmigans and Partridges. Their body is compactly framed, their neck short, the head small, 

 the wing of moderate size, and slightly pointed at the extremit}', its second and third quills being 

 longer than the rest. The gently-rounded tail is of medium length ; the beak long, broad, and 

 powerful, and the hea\'y short foot furnished with a blunt spur. The thick plumage is much 

 developed on the tail-covers ; a small patch behind the eye is unfeathered. 



THE CASPIAN SNOW PARTRIDGE. 



The Caspian Snow Partridge ( Tetraogallus Caspius), a member of the above group, inhabiting 

 Persia, is dark grey upon the head, nape, and upper breast ; the plumage on the back is varied grev 

 and reddish yellow, and the rest of the under side grey, the shafts of the feathers are streaked 

 longitudinally with reddish yellow. Two dark lines pass from the comers of the lower mandible 

 to the breast. These lines divide three white patches, one on tlie throat, and one on each side of 

 the face. The feathers on the upper wing-covers are shaded witii black and reddish yellow, with a 

 broad red edge at their outer web ; the quills are pure white, as are the belly and featiievs of die 

 lower tail-covers. The eye is dark brown, the beak pale horn-grey, and the foot reddish yellow. The 

 length is about twenty-four inches. 



This species was first described by Gmelin, in 1788-93, in the thirteenth edition of the "Systenia 

 Naturse." Latham, who places it among the true Partridges, says that it inhabits Astrabad, Ghilan, and 

 other parts of Persia. 



We are indebted to Mr. Gray, who has made for these birds the separate generic title of 

 Tetraogallus, for the following description of their habits, derived from the St. Petersburg 

 Transactions : — ■" This species builds on tlie highest summits of the rocky mountains of the Caucasus. 

 It prefers altogether the region of snow, which it never quits. Thus, when we desired to acclimatise the 

 young chickens of this Partridge in the plains of Kahetia, they have not sur\'ived die spring. It runs on 

 the rocks and the ledges of precipices with great agility, and rises widi a gi'eat cry at the least danger ; 

 so that the most skilful sportsman cannot approach witiiin shot except under cover of mists. It lives in 

 societies of from six to ten, becoming the inseparable companion to tlK- goat, on llie excrement of which 



