226 The Partridges of Bengal. 



The fourth, and last, Bengal species is, from its limited 

 range, but little known. I allude to the double-spurred 

 partridge, Galloperdiz lunulosa (Hardwicke, III. Ltd. Zool., 

 and Jerdon, III. Ind. Zool., pi. 42), generally called the Spur 

 Fowl. It is about the size of the grey partridge, but much 

 handsomer. It is coloured with a kind of dark bronze on the 

 wing coverts, which gives to the bird when first shot the 

 appearance of a general green hue. This fades after death, 

 and it then appears dark brown on the back, blackish about 

 the head, neck, and tail, and chrome yellow on the breast ; the 

 whole, except the tail, speckled with black and white lunules 

 or spots. 



This species is pretty common in the Eajhmahal Hills, near 

 Hazareebaugh, and extends throughout the Maunbhoom jungles 

 towards Midnapore. It is also found sparingly in Beerbhoom. 

 Its native name in Maunbhoom is " asko." 



Its habits partake much of those of the jungle fowl, Gallus 

 ferrugineus, which is also found in the same jungles. Its food 

 consists of seeds, rice, grain, and the flowers of the Mhowa 

 tree (Bassia latifolia), which abounds in the Maunbhoom dis- 

 trict, and generally throughout Chota Nagpore, and is much 

 sought out, when its waxy flowers fall, by all kinds of game, 

 both winged and fourfooted. Bears and various species of 

 deer are excessively fond of them, as also are the peacock, 

 jungle fowl, and most partridges. The natives, too, collect 

 and distil from them a spirit called daru. This partridge does 

 not give good sport. It frequents thick bushy jungles, and 

 runs rapidly through it when disturbed, but is good eating 

 when kept until tender. 



