424 ZOOLOGY. 



it was very generally known in the army as Spur-fowl, 

 the name by which Galloperdix spadiceus, the male 

 of which is also double-spurred, is generally known in 

 India. The two forms are not by any means closely allied, 

 but the name is far less objectionable than that of Pheasant 

 applied by the Cape colonists to a species closely allied 

 to F. Erlcelii. In the Anseba at 4,500 feet F. Erkelii 

 was only occasionally seen, but it inhabited the hills 

 above the valley. 



This Francolin is highly insectivorous, and the flesh, 

 although generally excellent, has occasionally a rather 

 strong taste, due doubtless to its food. Some which I 

 killed about Undul in January had the crops filled with 

 locusts. The grain dropped from the bags in the pass 

 was a great attraction, and many might be seen late in 

 the evening or early in the morning picking it from the 

 road through the pass. Just below Senaf^, I have seen 

 fifteen or twenty of these birds in a walk of a mile. On 

 being disturbed they usually ran up the hill, very 

 rarely down, and never took flight, unless fired at or 

 suddenly surprised. About dusk in the evening they 

 roosted in trees, and the whole hill-side resounded with 

 their cries " kri-kri-kri-kri-kri-ka-wa-wa-wa-wa,," a harsh 

 sound, the first syllables lengthened, the others quickly 

 uttered. 



I never saw Francolinus Frkelii in coveys ; it was 

 usually in pairs, or single. The difference in size between 

 the sexes is very great, far more than is common amongst 

 Partridges. The following are measurements in inches of 

 a pair, taken in the flesh ; — 



