CHAPTER VII. 



Francolins and Spur-fowl. 



The partridge to which the above names are 

 applied form two very distinct groups, the Spur- 

 fowl in particular being very easily recognisable. 

 They are smallish birds, quite partridges in size, 

 but with longer tails than partridges usually have ; 

 and as they sometimes raise these in a folded form, 

 they remind one much at times of small bantam 

 fowls, their resemblance to these being increased by 

 the bare red skin which, as in fowls, surroimds 

 their eyes. The cocks are always quite differ- 

 ent in plumage from the hens, and have two or 

 three spurs on each leg, the hens having one, two, 

 or none. 



These birds are perhaps just as much miniature 

 jungle-fowl as partridges, but as they have not the 

 hackles or long tail of the jungle-cocks, they may 

 as well be classed with the partridges as anywhere 

 else, the various groups of the pheasant family 

 being inter-related in such a complex way that 

 it is quite impossible to arrange them naturally 

 in a line so to speak — a difiiciilty which besets 

 all classifications. 



The Spur-fowl are only found in India and 

 Ceylon, three species being known; they all keep 

 much to cover and are difficult to flush. 



