426 ZOOLOGY. 



was sometimes so rank as to be scarcely eatable, doubtless 

 from tbeir having fed largely on the Coleoptera which 

 then abounded. In the winter months they were 

 excellent. 



The call is very similar to that of the common EngUsh 

 Partridge, to which the plumage also presents some 

 resemblance, so that sportsmen often take them for the 

 same bird. In reality the present species rather resembles 

 the common grey Partridge of India, Francolinus {Orty- 

 giornis) pondicerianus. 



239. Pternistes rubricoUis (Elipp.). 



Perdix rubricoUis, Riipp. Atlas, t. xxx. 



Pternistes rubricoUis, Rupp. Syst. Uebers. No. 382. 



Iris brown ; legs reddish, dusky ; beak dusky ; gape 

 reddish ; naked skia around the eyes, with the lores, part 

 of the ear, chin, and throat scarlet, passing downwards 

 into yellow on the neck. 



This is the Partridge of the coast, and was never seen 

 above 3,000 feet. It was not observed above Komayli 

 at the bottom of the pass leading to Senaf^. In Decem- 

 ber and January it occurred in coveys of six to eight 

 birds, subsequently single or in pairs. It chiefly keeps 

 about bushy ravines, and is a great runner, not taking 

 wing readily, but generally when disturbed endeavouring 

 to run away. It has a peculiar harsh cry, uttered wTien 

 disturbed ; I did not notice its call. Like Francolinus 

 Erkelii, it was generally known by the sportsmen of the 

 army as Spur-fowl. 



