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Its probable western limits are the Gok, or Geyee, Mountains of Southern Asia Minor. Thence 

 it extends eastward through the rest of the Taurus into Armenia, Kurdistan, and Northern 

 Persia, as far as the south-east corner of the Caspian. It is also reported to occur in the Dinar 

 Mountains, in the south-west of Persia. 



" Though by no means uncommon in the rocky ranges of Cilicia, the Snow-Partridge is, 

 owing to its extreme wariness, and the difficult character of the ground it frequents, a very hard 

 bird to obtain. So shy is it, that the natives say it takes the wind of a man like an ibex. The 

 coveys in summer time are doubtless more easy of approach than the adult birds. 



" This species frequents in winter the regions just above the limits of the tree-growth, rarely 

 descending, unless in exceptionally severe weather; and even then it usually takes to the holes 

 and caves with which the limestone rocks abound. From the sheltered interstices of these rocks 

 it gets its food, which at this season consists, not, as some writers say, of the droppings of the 

 wild goats, or, as the natives often asserted, of snow and stones, but of bulbous roots, young 

 grass-blades, moss, and quantities of the common scale-fern (Ceterach officinarum). The young, 

 no doubt, after the manner of most game birds, feed much on insects. The above diet seems to 

 agree well with these birds, as females shot in March and April were covered with fat, males 

 less so. They are good eating, more like the common Grey Partridge than any thing else. The 

 weight of a large male was 7-| lb., that of a female 6 lb. 



" The Snow-Partridge pairs very early, certainly as soon as the beginning of February ; but 

 it is not until the end of March that the males begin calling. The call-note is a full, clear, 

 prolonged whistle, ended with an abrupt jerk. It is audible at a great distance, and is not 

 difficult to imitate. The other cry which this species possesses is a loud cackle, uttered only by 

 the male. It is begun when the bird is disturbed, and is kept up during the whole time of its 

 flight, which is sometimes pretty long, and is best compared to that of the Ptarmigan. On 

 alighting the performance is often wound up by a whistle. The natives imitate these notes by 

 the syllables luJc-lulc-luk-luk booooo. This bears about as much likeness to the natural notes of 

 the bird as such imitations usually do on paper, which, except in the case of very simple-noted 

 birds, appears to me to be remarkably small. The transcribing of complicated bird-notes 

 depends so much upon the taste and fancy of the speller, that two interpretations of a bird-song 

 very rarely coincide, and the series of syllables set down really convey no definite idea of the 

 actual notes. 



" The present species begins breeding in the middle of April. Two of the three nests 

 obtained were taken on the Bulgar dagh, April 23rd and 25th, and contained six and four eggs 

 respectively. The other, which we had the good fortune to take ourselves on the Karanfil dagh 

 on April 23rd, also contained six eggs. 



" Starting early, to escape the heat of the sun, we began to climb the north-west side of the 

 mountain. The first part of the way was up steep slopes covered with bushes, loose stones, and 

 a few old cedar and fir trees. By the time the foot of the rocks was reached tattered junipers 

 were the only trees left. Here the call of a Snow-Partridge far above our heads sounded a note 

 of encouragement. After going up a pretty good height the cry was again heard, and the sharp 

 eyes of one of the guides made out two Ur-kekliks — a male, perched on a high piece of rock, and 

 a female walking about below him. A stalk was attempted ; but the birds discovered us, and 



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