96 



share of the crop. Naumann says that during the more inclement portion of the year, when 

 other food is scarce, they will feed on the buds of the alpine rose (Rhododendron), as well as 

 those of the fir, pine, and larch, and berries of the juniper. The young birds when newly 

 batched are fed chiefly on ants and their larvae. Like the common Partridge, the present species 

 is fond of dusting itself, and will lie in the sunshine for long with evident pleasure. When 

 paired the present species lives in strict monogamy; but, as above stated, the males fight viciously 

 for the possession of the females. 



The locality chosen for nidification is always one of the most arid desert places, and always 

 amongst the rocks, choosing a place where its nest will be best shielded from animals of prey. 

 Its nest is nothing beyond a hole scratched in the ground and lined with a few leaves or grass- 

 bents gathered together to form a scanty bed for its eggs. These latter, which are stated 

 by Bailly to vary in number from nine to eighteen, are deposited in the month of May ; but 

 Naumann writes that it rarely lays before the early part of June, and sometimes not until July, 

 and that the number of eggs varies between twelve and fifteen, sometimes as many as twenty-four 

 being deposited. 



The eggs of this species are in shape and size similar to those of the common Redleg, but 

 somewhat larger and much paler, the ground-colour being pale yellowish, and the markings small 

 and very pale, so that at the first glance the egg looks almost uniform yellowish. Although it is 

 doubtful whether the appellation " Greek " Partridge is not more applicable to Caccabis chukar 

 than to the present species, yet, as the European bird is generally known by that name from the 

 eastern species, I have deemed it best to retain it for the western bird, and to call Caccabis 

 chukar by the name used by Dr. Jerdon, viz. Chukor Partridge. 



The specimen figured is an adult male from Naples, in the collection of Lord Lilford ; and 

 in the background to the left I have had a specimen of Caccabis chukar from the island of 

 Rhodes figured for comparison as regards the colour of the throat. In the article on the Chukor 

 Partridge woodcuts are given of the heads of both that and the present species, to show the very 

 distinctive character in the distribution of the black at the base of the bill. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, 6 ad. Switzerland (Moschler). b, 2 jun. Switzerland (Dr. Kutter). c, pull. Near Barcelonette, Basses- 

 Alpes (E. Fairmaire) . 



E Mus. Lord Lilford. 



a, 6 , b, 2 ■ Switzerland (Moschler). c, <5 , d, J . Naples, February 15th, 1875 (L.). 



E Mus. Hcivard Saunders, 

 a, J , b, 2 ■ Usern, Switzerland (Nager Donazian) . 



