BLACK PARTRIDGE. 71 



occurs on the further side of the Himalayas ; there are, besides, three 

 other groups, the Grey or Spurred Partridges, peculiar to the 

 continent of India ; the Wood Partridges, confined to the Himalayas, 

 in India proper, but extending through Burmah into Malay ana; 

 and the Bush-quails, peculiar to India. 

 1st. Francolins or Meadow Partridges. 



Gen. Francolinus, Stephens. 



Syn. Attagen, Keys and Bias. — Hepburnia, Keichenb. 



Char. — Bill moderate or somewhat long, stout, slightly curved 

 at the tip ; tail of fourteen feathers, somewhat lengthened, even, 

 or very slightly rounded ; tarsi of the male with strong but blunt 

 spurs. 



The Francolins may be said to be Partridges with more 

 lengthened bill and tail, slightly spurred, and with a peculiar and 

 rich coloration. The group may be considered an Asiatic form, 

 extending to the south of Europe, and to the north of Africa. 

 India possesses two species, and there is another in Burmah ; they 

 do not associate in coveys, and Blyth states that they appear to 

 him to have more of the general habits of Pheasants than of 

 Partridges, but to this I must demur. Gould considers them 

 allied to Ceriomis in the general style of coloring, the short spur, 

 and the form of the bill. 



20. Francolinus vulgaris, Stephens. 



Blyth, Cat. 1500— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 259 — Tetrao 

 francolinus, Linbleus — Perdix Hepburnise, Gray, Hardwicke, 

 111. Ind. Zool. pi. 55 f (the female) — F. Henrici, Bonap. — Kala- 

 titar, or Titir, H., said to be called Gaghar about Benares. 



The Black Partridge. 



Descr. — Head, cheeks, and throat, deep black; the top of 

 the head and nape edged with rufous, and with some white 

 spots on the sides of the occiput, forming a pale line ; ear- 

 coverts pure white ; a broad collar of fine chesnut red passes 

 round the whole neck ; upper part of the back black, the feathers 

 edged with rufous and white tipped ; the middle and lower back, 



