11? 



«J 



speaks of it (Ibis, 1859, p. 353) as being especially numerous in the Regency of Tunis ; and 

 Mr. C. F. Tyrwhitt-Drake found it everywhere numerous in Tangier and Eastern Morocco. 



The various authors on the ornithology of the Canaries record it thence ; and Dr. Carl 

 Bolle says (J. f. O. 1855, p. 173) that it is the commonest game bird in the Canaries, and is 

 wanting only on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, as well as Palma, though in the latter place it 

 would be supposed that it should occur, as every requisite for its existence is found there ; and 

 he further writes (J. f. O. 1857, p. 333) that it is common in the Pinal of Teneriffe, even on the 

 cumbre and in the elevated dry canadas, and breeds amongst the bushes at the foot of the 

 Teyde. Mr. Godman names that he frequently saw them exposed for sale in the market-place 

 at Santa Cruz. 



In its habits this bird assimilates to the Eed-legged Partridge; but Loche says that it 

 prefers uncultivated soil to localities which have been under cultivation, and the seeds of wild 

 plants to cereals. It feeds on seeds, insects, and caterpillars, and obtains its food generally by 

 scratching for it in the soil. It also feeds on tender shoots. It rarely wanders far from the 

 locality where it was hatched, and where found is a resident. Though usually peaceable and 

 somewhat shy, the males become quarrelsome during the breeding-season, and the call-note of 

 the female makes them forget their usual caution ; hence at that season of the year they are 

 frequently entrapped by means of a whistle with which the note of the female is imitated. 



Its flight is heavy and whirring, like that of the other Partridges. It walks with celerity 

 and ease, this being its usual mode of locomotion. Like its ally (Caccabis rufa) it frequently 

 perches on trees or bushes, especially when suddenly disturbed. It is easily tamed, and becomes 

 exceedingly familiar. Loche says that it soon fraternizes with domestic poultry, and when made 

 a pet of will live on good terms even with the dogs and cats about the house. 



It nests, like its allies, on the ground, its nest being merely a hole scratched in the soil under 

 shelter of a bush. Loche says that incubation lasts nineteen or twenty days, and that the female 

 alone undertakes the cares of incubation. The young run directly they are hatched, and are 

 very carefully tended and guarded by the female, who will expose herself to any danger to 

 preserve her progeny. 



The eggs of this species closely resemble those of the common Redleg (C. rufa) both in size 

 and coloration ; but, judging from six specimens in my collection from Algeria, they are a trifle 

 more richly marked with rufous than the general run of eggs of C. rufa. Mr. Salvin says that 

 it deposits its eggs early in April, and that from eleven to fifteen is the usual complement. 



The flesh of this Partridge is said to be much less palatable than that of the common 

 Redleg and the Greek Partridge ; but I have not personally been able to judge of this. 



The specimen described, and figured on the same Plate with the Eed-legged Partridge, is an 

 adult male from Sardinia, sent to me by Count Salvadori. 



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



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



«, d,6, $. Sardinia, January 1869 (Salvadori). c,<S. Algeria, autumn, 1862 (C. A. Wright). d,%. Barbary, 

 February 1863 (C. A. Wright), e, j . Teneriffe, April 21st, 1871 [F. D. Godman). 



