GAME BIRDS OF INDIA AND ASIA. I25 



The hen has no crest, and is grass-green without 

 gloss, with chestnut wings and slate-coloured 

 head. 



In both sexes the eyelids and feet are brilliant 

 red, the male has the base of the bill red in addi- 

 tion ; but in the female it is all black. This bird 

 about equals the wood-partridges in size, being 

 about eleven inches long ; the wing measures five 

 and-a-half inches, and the tail two and-a-half ; the 

 shank about one and-a-quarter. Females are a 

 little smaller than this. 



This partridge has a wide range, being found in 

 Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Siam, and the Malay Penin- 

 sula, where it extends into the south of Tenasserim 

 near the Pakchan river. It is a forest bird, and 

 gregarious in its habits, being found in small 

 parties of half-a-dozen or more, comprising both 

 males and females. It is described as much more 

 lively in its movements than the Arbor icolas, 

 running about like a quail, and not scratching so 

 much as the others. The note is a soft, pleasant 

 whistle. Nothing is known about the breeding 

 except that the egg is buff and about an inch and- 

 a-half long. This beautifiil and gentle little par- 

 tridge would be a most charming aviary bird, but 

 unfortunately it is not much exported, at any rate 

 nowadays, and Rutledge, who imported the first 

 into Calcutta many years ago, told me that the 

 late ex-King of Oudh was much pleased with them 

 and bought them at a high price, naming thein 

 " The King's Fancy." The name " Rooloo " is 

 that by which Rutledge called these birds, and I 

 presume it is the native name in some parts of the 

 Far East. 



