78 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, 



tint of the European bird, which moreover appears to have the 

 dark collar of greater extent, and in our bird having the chin and 

 throat always more or less rufous. 



The Chukor is found throughout the Western Himalayas, from 

 the lowest range to the Snows, and passing over into Thibet, but 

 it does not extend so far east as Sikim. It is also met with in the 

 salt range of the Punjab, and its more alpine regions, passing into 

 Afghanistan. It prefers bare and rocky hills with low scrab or 

 jungle, near cultivation. 



" In our part of the hills" says Mountaineer (i. e. in the North- 

 western Himalayas) " the Chuckore is most numerous in the 

 highei inhabited districts, but is found scattered over all the lower 

 and middle ranges. In summer they spread themselves over 

 the grassy hills to breed, and about the middle of September 

 be^in to assemble in and around the cultivated fields near the 

 villages, gleaning at first in the grain fields which have been 

 reaped, and afterwards during winter in those which have been 

 sown with wheat and barley for the ensuing season, preferring 

 the wheat. A few straggling parties remain on the hill sides 

 where they breed, as also in summer many remain to perform 

 the business of incubation in the fields. In autumn and winter 

 they keep in loose scattered flocks, very numerous, sometimes 

 to the number of forty or fifty, and even a hundred. In summer, 

 though not entirely separated, they are seldom in large flocks, 

 and a single pair is often met with. They are partial to dry 

 stony spots, never go into forest, and in the lower hills seem to 

 prefer the grassy hill sides to the cultivated fields. This may 

 probably be owing to their comparatively fewer numbers, as I 

 have observed that many others of the feathered race are much 

 shyer and more suspicious of man when rare, than those of the 

 same species in places more numerous. Their call is a kind of 

 chuckling, often continued for some time and by a great many 

 birds at once. It is uttered indiscriminately at various intervals 

 of the day, but most generally towards evening. 



" The Chuchore feeds on grain, roots, seeds, and berries ; when 

 caught young, it becomes quite tame, and will associate readily 

 with domestic poultry. 



