84 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 



days old." In flight this bird is not unlike the English Partridge, 

 and I have known many sportsmen who considered them to be the 

 same bird. It is considered to be a stronger flying bird, and to be 

 more difficult to bring down. 



Though generally dispersed throughout the country, they are 

 seldom so plentiful as to induce Sportsmen to go out after them 

 alone, but a few generally form part of the hag after a day's 

 shooting in Southern and Western India. " I have found Greys 

 with my pointers" remarks a writer in the Beng. Sport. Mag. 

 (XIV. 90) "always in a steady way, but subject of course to the 

 peculiar habit of that skulking, running bird ; fond of bushes, and 

 strong on the leg, they will walk or dodge before the dogs and 

 sportsmen in a tiresome way, tantalizing and trying to the temper 

 of both man and beast ; still the dogs will be staunch to their trail, 

 drawing on them, and standing until they are sprung." It is not, 

 in general, considered good eating, being usually dry and insipid. 

 One writer, however, in the above quoted Periodical, says, " In 

 this respect it has not had justice, being, in October and November 

 superior to our Black Partridge, but in tins country game is so 

 much spoiled in cooking that there is no knowing what to make of 

 it, as it is invariably roasted as dry as a stick/' The best way of 

 cooking dry game in this country is the Gypsy or Mexican fashion 

 of enclosing it in a lump of good fire-clay, and roasting it in 

 the fire. Birds (and hares) otherwise dry and insipid^ come out 

 of their case juicy and tasty. 



When not disturbed much, and near villages, the Grey Partridge 

 is by no means a shy bird. It is easily tamed, and may be 

 brought to follow his owner about like a dog, even through a 

 crowded street. It is very commonly kept by Mussulmans in small 

 cages, sometimes for fighting, as it is highly pugnacious, and 

 fights with great spirit and obstinacy. Partridges with double 

 spurs are esteemed the most for fighting. It will readily utter its 

 call when spoken to, and is generally liberated on a grass plain 

 for a run every morning, returning to its cage when called upon. 

 It is also used as a decoy for w T ild birds, a tame bird being put 

 down near a covey and made to call, when he is invariably met by 

 a cock- bird, and a battle ensues. The Bird-catcher approaches 



