94 WANDEKINGS OF A 



made," inasmuch as authors have formed the diagnosis en- 

 tirely from the size of the band on the neck and the intensity 

 of the white on the throat. I have examined various Turkish 

 specimens, and found even these peculiarities not constant. 

 These races form one species, extending from South-east 

 Europe and Syria, across Central Asia and the northern 

 boundaries of Hindostan, where it is not very plentiful, the 

 most advanced of its posts being the low ranges of the Pun- 

 jaub. The species, seems to abound in Chinese Tartary and 

 the sources of the Oxus. Lieutenant Wood, in his journey* 

 to the latter country, mentions taking part in a huntiag ex- 

 pedition, when the party bagged 500 chukore by running 

 them down with beaters and dogs. 



The chukore prefers barren mountains to the rich and 

 luxuriant vegetation of the more southern ranges ; bare stony 

 ridges clad with low scrub are its favourite haunts. It is 

 usually met with in coveys. Although the breeding season 

 commences early, and the young are hatched in July, and 

 rapidly attain the size of the parents, they are seldom able to 

 fly before the middle of September. The nest is composed of 

 dried .grass, and is placed in bushy places ; the eggs are white, 

 and vary in number from nine to twelve. During incubation 

 the male remains near the nest, and may be heard all day piping 

 his loud call — "cue cue," resembling that of the domestic 

 fowl. The Cashmerians call the bird " kau-kau " on account 

 of its call. Although not actually a denizen of the vaUey, 

 it is not uncommon on the surrounding moimtains. The 

 chukore is a handsome bird, and to the sportsman affords 

 better diversion than perhaps any of the Himalayan partridges. 

 Its rapid flight, and the trying nature of the situations fre- 

 quented by it, demand the hunter's best energies. On the 



* Voyage up the Indus to the Source of the Oxus, by Kabul and Badakshan. 



