246 
GREEK PARTRIDGE. 
this it lays from ten to twenty eggs, which are 
somewhat larger than those of P. rubra. The shell is 
hard and shining, and is either unspotted pale yellow, 
or browmish yellow with violet brown dots and spots, 
according to Badeker. The shape of the egg is oval. 
Nidification commences in May, and the female sits 
twenty-three days. 
The adult male has all the upper plumage dove- 
coloured grey, with a beautiful shade of purplish 
glossy pink on the scapularies and sides of the chest. 
The primaries are of a rich brown, with a light brown 
patch near the end of the quill on the third to the 
ninth inclusive, gradually getting smaller; the second, 
third, fourth, and fifth primaries are about equal, and 
the longest in the wing. Head, throat, and chest have 
been described in the specific diagnosis. Centre of the 
abdomen presents a conical surface of rich fawn-colour, 
flanked above on each side by beautifully-marked 
feathers of a pure dove-coloured grey, with a bar of 
light fawn-colour between two other transverse bars of 
rich umber brown, at the end of each feather: these 
latter markings being broader on the sides of the 
abdomen, and narrower on the flanks proper. Under 
tail coverts russet; tail feathers rich dark russet. The 
margin of the eyes, iris, and beak, a beautiful red; 
legs and feet same colour, but paler; bottom of the 
feet dirty yellow; the tarsus of the male is furnished 
with a well-developed, but obtuse spur, situated ab^ut 
the middle. 
The female resembles the male, but is smaller and 
without spurs; the grey is less lively; there is less 
white on the throat ; and the black band and the 
markings on the flanks are smaller. 
The young after the first moult are more grey, and 
