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 brownish 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 about 

 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 arc more grey, and 



