62 THE KYAH OR SWAMP PARTRIDGE. 



not rise again. They go about in small parties and in pairs. The 

 call is similar to that of the Grey, but with the last note omitted." 



Colonel Graham tells me that "the Swamp Partridge 

 occurs throughout the whole of the Darrang district of Assam 

 lying along the north bank of the Brahmaputra, and also on 

 the churs of that River on which high nul grass exists. 



" The bird also extends eastward into the North Lakhimpur 

 district, going as far east as Sadiya ; but here it is rare, and there 

 can be no doubt that after leaving the Darrang district it 

 decreases rapidly in numbers. 



" The high nul grass on the banks of nallas or marshes, as 

 also the high grass round the mustard fields, are its favourite 

 resorts ; and, in the great majority of cases, three birds are 

 found together — possibly the two old birds, and a young one." 



Mr. J. Inglis writes : — 



" It is quite common in the low lands of Cachar, and may 

 be heard calling in the bhils (or swamps) night and morning. 

 I have frequently heard it calling during the night, especially on 

 moon-light nights. I sometimes put it up with my dog along the 

 edges of jungle ; but to try and shoot them in numbers requires 

 elephants, as it is quite impossible to follow them up on foot." 



Mr. Damant remarks : — 



" It is nearly always found in low swampy ground, and 

 never far from water ; the birds lie in coveys of six to ten ; 

 and in the morning and evening may often be found 

 on the edge of the jungles feeding in the open ; they are 

 easy to shoot, as they fly straight and not very rapidly." 



Mr. H. J. Rainey says : — 



" This species is found throughout the south of the Jessore 

 district, including the cultivated parts of the Sunderbans 

 portion thereof. They inhabit heavy hogla ( Typha elephantina) 

 jungle growing on the banks of rivers and smaller streams, 

 and issue out of this dense cover in the cool of the fore- 

 noon and afternoon to feed in the adjoining open ground 

 and rice fields. These are the only times that the sports- 

 man has any chance of being able to flush them, but then, 

 if aided by a couple of beaters or a dog, or even alone, by 

 simply moving along the outer edge of such jungle, he may 

 obtain a few shots. They rise with a sudden whirr, accompanied 

 by a sharp cackling noise, apt to unsteady the nerve and aim 

 of a novice in this description of shikdr. 



" Swamp Partridges are occasionally snared in rice fields, &c, 

 where they come to feed. They thrive fairly in captivity if 

 caught not over a season old and kept in a large cage built 

 on the ground, with jafri or trellis work on the sides, and a 

 light thatched roof above ; but I have never seen them breed 

 in confinement. They should be well fed with paddy or un- 

 husked rice, which they will eat freely." 



