GAME BIRDS OF INDIA AND ASIA. lOI 



Bombay Presidency, north of Belgatim, nor any- 

 where north of the Ganges. Although it occurs in 

 some parts of the Red Spur-fowl's territory, it 

 does not extend so far to the west or north. Its 

 breeding-season is from March to May, and the 

 ■eggs, which are glossy and pale drab in colour, do 

 not exceed five in number. 



The Ceylon Spur-fowl. 



Galloperdix bicalcarata. Faun. Brit. Ind., 

 Birds, Vol. IV. p. loig. 



Native names : — Haban or Saban-kukula. 



In size this bird is intermediate between the 

 last two, but has a shorter tail than either of them. 

 The cock has a speckled appearance, being streak- 

 ed above and on the flanks with white on a black 

 ground ; the neck in front is white with black 

 edgings, and the breast pure white ; the rump is 

 chestnut, and there is an intermixture of this 

 ■colour on the shoulders ; the tail and most of the 

 wings are black, and the lower part of the belly 

 ■dark brown with pale spots. 



The hen is of a dull chestnut brown, and both 

 ■sexes have red bills and feet as well as a red bare 

 space round the eye. 



This is the only Spur-fowl found in Ceylon, and 

 it is confined to that island. _ Even there its range 

 is not universal, for it is absent from the dry north- 

 •ern portion. Being like the rest of the group, 

 an inveterate skulker, and having a cackling 

 note, it is more often heard than seen. It breeds 

 irom April to August, the eggs being cream- 

 coloured and usually only four in number. 



