128 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 



Hodgson says that the sexes are equal in size. I have measured 

 and weighed many lately, and invariably found the difference 

 nearly as great as that mentioned above, and the difference of 

 colour in the irides of the two sexes is apparently constant. 

 Analogy with the Likh Florikin would also suggest the inferiority 

 in size of the male bird, which is, however, more marked in that 

 species. 



This fine bird is found throughout Lower Bengal north of the 

 Ganges, extending to the south bank above the junction of the 

 Jumna, and thence spreading through the valley of the Jumna into 

 Rajpootana, the Cis-Sutlej States, and parts of the Punjaub ; in the 

 east it occurs in Dacca, Tipperah, Sylhet and Assam, and northwards 

 to the foot of the Himalayas. It frequents large tracts of moderately 

 high grass, whether interspersed w r ith bushes or otherwise, grass 

 churrs on rivers, and occasionally cultivation, but it appears to be 

 very capricious in its choice of ground, several often congregating 

 in some spots to the exclusion of others that seemed equally 

 favorable for it. From February to April it may be seen stalking 

 about the thin grass early in the morning, and it is noticed to be 

 often found about newly burnt patches; or one or more may be 

 noticed winging their way to some cultivated spot, a Pea-field, 

 or Mustard field, to make its morning repast ; after which it flies 

 back to some thicker patch of grass to rest during the heat of the 

 day. Birds, at this time, as well as during the earlier part of the 

 year, are usually found singly, sometimes in pairs, male and female 

 hot far distant from each other ; or, as stated previously, three or 

 four will be found in some favored spot. 



According to Hodgson, the Florikin is neither monogamous, nor 

 polygamous, but the sexes live apart at no great distance ; and 

 this appears to be very probable. The Florikin breeds from June 

 to August. At this season the Cock-bird may be seen risino- 

 perpendicularly into the air with a hurried flapping of his wino-s, 

 occasionally stopping for a second or two, and then rising still higher, 

 raising his crest at the same time, and puffing out the feathers 

 of his neck and breast, and afterwards dropping down to the 

 ground, and he repeats this manoeuvre several times successively, 

 humming, as Hodgson asserts, in a peculiar tone. Such females as 



