THE PAINTED PARTRIDGE OR SOUTHERN FRANCOLIN.' 2$ 



" The regular number of eggs is about seven or eight, in colour 

 of a smoky white generally, but when fresh-laid they are of a 

 light reddish white, gradually changing to smoky white as 

 incubation proceeds. 



" From the moment they leave the eggs, the young 1 brood 

 commence their peculiar cricket-like chirrup, and when they run 

 it is not with the head erect, but inclined forward on a level 

 with the body." 



The eggs of this species are like those of the common Fran- 

 colin, typically very broad and obtuse at the large end and much 

 pointed towards the small end. They are, however, even more 

 of the peg-top shape than these latter, the large end being flat- 

 ter and less spherical. In size they are very much smaller than 

 those of the Common Black Partridge, as indeed are the birds 

 themselves. The colour varies a good deal ; some eggs are drab- 

 by white with a very faint greenish tinge ; others are brownish 

 drab, others cream colour, and some pale cafe au lait. They are 

 spotless and somewhat less glossy than those of the preceding 

 species. 



In length they vary from i'3 to 1*48, and in breadth from I'l 

 to 1*25 ; but the average of a score is 1*4 by ri8. 



THIS SPECIES does not vary in size as much as the Black 

 does. I have measured a good many myself and have had re- 

 cords of measurements sent me from many places. Neither can 

 I say that I have been able to discover any appreciable difference 

 in size between the two sexes. 



The following is a resume 'of the dimensions of adults : — 



Length, iro to 13*0 ; expanse, 17-0 to 19*5 ; wing, 5 -3 to 5 S ; 

 tail from vent, 2'6 to 3*55 ; tarsus, 1*5 to 175 ; bill from gape, 

 I'O to 1*13 ; weight, 8*5 ozs. to 127 ozs. 



The bill blackish or deep brown in the male, a little paler or 

 fleshy or greyish white about the gape and base of lower man- 

 dible. In the female the bill is dark brown, the tip of the 

 upper and the greater portion of the lower mandible much 

 paler, often yellowish white or pale fleshy horny. 



The irides deep brown ; the legs and feet reddish, yellowish 

 red, or in younger birds yellowish fleshy. 



Note that in this species neither sex ever has any spurs, 

 although Jerdon gives as one of the characters of the genus, 

 " tarsi of the male with strong but blunt spurs." 



THE PLATE is, I think, all that could be wished for, although 

 the legs are generally rather redder than they are there repre- 

 sented. 



I mentioned before that hybrids between this species and 

 the last occur. Captain Butler shot 6 or 7 such near Deesa, close 



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