574 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



neck, seldom going to any distance, but dropping into some thick 

 covert, and thence often dislodged with difficulty ; for it runs much, 

 even among the thick reeds. It very generally, however, especi- 

 ally in swampy thickets, perches on the high reeds, and generally 

 roosts there. 



The call of the Kyah is quite similar in character to that of 

 the Grey Partridge, though in a somewhat different tone, and 

 not uttered so hurriedly, and the preliminary chuck is exactly that 

 of its congener. It is one of the earliest birds astir, crowing at 

 day-light, as well as frequently also during the day. 



The Kyah breeds early in the spring, in some localities, at all 

 events, from March to May, and at this time is very difficult to 

 put up ; indeed, I have seen an Elephant almost break down a 

 bush before the Partridge would rise. The eggs are said to be 

 laid under some thick bush, in a dry spot, and to be white like 

 those of the Grey Partridge. It is a very quarrelsome bird, fight- 

 ing much with his own species, and one writer states that " the 

 scars of former fights disfigure the breasts of almost every bird 

 you kill." It drives off the Black Partridge if it comes across it. 



Shooting the Kyah is, in many parts of the country, only possible 

 on Elephants, as the high grass and reed jungles it frequents are 

 impenetrable to man or dog; and moreover Tigers are occasionally 

 found in the heavy jungles they frequent. But where the patches 

 of reeds and rose bushes are thinner, and of small extent, and 

 with fields and moderately high grass at hand, the sportsman may 

 manage to get a good many shots if aided by a few strong and 

 determined beaters and a good spaniel. Early in the morning 

 too, by walking down the reedy bank of a jheel or river, bordered 

 by fields, and having a beater or two, with a good dog, you will get 

 several shots as the birds fly across you into their cover. " The 

 scent of this bird" says a writer in the Beng. Sport. Mag. " is 

 most gratefully warm to pointers. My dogs would stand to the 

 dead birds as staunchly as to the living ones." 



The flesh is excellent if kept, though somewhat more dry than an 

 English Partridge. The same writer above quoted says : " Of all 

 the game birds of India known to me, cold roast Chikore, in my 

 opinion, bears away the palm for delicacy of flavour and texture in 



