GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 20/ 



represented by an almost identical species. It is a remarkable fact that, whilst such of these Partridges 

 as inhabit Central Europe decidedly prefer sunny, verdure-covered spots lying beneath the snow- 

 boundary of the Alps, those occupying warmer latitudes frequent the open plains and barren lowland 



tracts. 



Tristram tells us that this is the commonest Partridge in the Holy Land : " In every part of the 

 country, whether wooded or bare, it abounds, and its ringing call-note in early morning echoes from clifi 

 to cliff, alike amidst the barrenness of the wilderness of Judea, and in the glens of the forest of Carmel. 

 The male birds will stand erect on a boulder-stone, sending their cheery challenge to some rival across 

 the wady, till the moment they perceive themselves detected ; they then drop down from their throne, 

 and scud up the hill faster than any dog, screening themselves from sight by any projecting rock 

 as they run." 



According to Lindermayer, the Greek Partridge lays as early as February ; in the Alps the female 

 does not brood till the end of May at the earliest, and often as late as July. The nest is a mere 

 hollow in the ground, beneath a low bush, and is slightly lined with moss, heath, or grass. In the 

 south even this trifling preparation for the little family is omitted, and the hen contents herself with 

 making a hole in the sand. The eggs, from twelve to fifteen in number, have a pale, yellowish white 

 shell, delicately streaked with light brown ; the mother alone broods, and when her young are strong 

 enough, leads them forth to seek their food in company with her mate. Tschudi tells us that 

 the young display extraordinary alacrity in concealing themselves on the first alarm of danger, and on 

 this account the shooting of these much-esteemed birds is attended with no small difficulty, and 

 frequently tries the sportsman's patience to the utmost. 



THE CHUCKORE. 



The Chuckore Partridge {Caccabis Chukor), a very nearly alHed species, is found throughout 

 the Western Himalayas, passing into Thibet, and in the salt range and alpine regions of the Punjaub, 

 passing into Affghanistan. 



" In our part of the hills," says " Mountaineer " (the North-western Himalayas), "the Chuckore 

 is most numerous in the higher inhabited districts, but is found scattered over all the lower and 

 middle ranges. In summer they spread themselves in the grassy hills to breed, and about the middle 

 of September begin to assemble in and around the cultivated fields near the villages, gleaning at first 

 in the grain fields which have been reaped, and afterwards, during winter, in those that have been 

 sown with wheat and barley for the ensuing season, preferring the wheat. A few straggling parties 

 linger on the hill-sides, where they breed, as also in summer many remain to perform the business of 

 incubation in the fields. In autumn and winter they keep in loose scattered flocks, very numerous, 

 sometimes to the number of forty or fifty, or even a hundred. In summer, though not entirely 

 separated, they are seldom seen. in large flocks, and a single pair is often met with. They are partial 

 to dry, stony localities, never go into forests, and in the lower hills seem to prefer the grassy hill-sides 

 to the cultivated fields. This may probably be owing to their comparatively fewer numbers, as I have 

 observed that many others of the feathered race are much sh)'er and more suspicious of man when 

 few in number than those of the same species in places where they are more numerous. Their call is 

 a kind of chuckling, often continued for some time, and by a great many birds at once. It is uttered 

 indiscriminately at various intervals of the day, but most generally when breeding. The Chuckore 

 feeds on grain, roots, and berries, when caught young it becomes quite tame, and will associate with 

 domestic poultry. From the beginning of October Chuckore-shooting is, perhaps, the most pleasant 

 of anything of the kind ; in the hills about some of the higher villages ten or twelve brace may be 

 bagged in a few hours." 



