Arboricola chloropus, Tickell 



Vernacular Names.— [Toun-hka (Burmese), Pegu.] 



HE distribution of the Green-legged Hill Partridge 

 is very similar to that of the Brown-breasted species, 

 t but its range is lower. It occurs along the skirts 

 of the Eastern Tenasserim Hills, from at least as far 

 south as the latitude of Tavoy (and it very probably 

 extends further south still) to north of Tonghoo, 

 and it equally occurs along the eastern slopes of the 

 Pegu Yoma. In Tenasserim, stragglers occur far from the hills. 

 Thus, Capt. Bingham recently shot a pair close to the Circuit 

 House at Moulmein. 



I am not aware that it has as yet been recorded from any 

 locality outside our limits, but it is pretty certain to extend to 

 North-Western Siam and the Shan States, and probably to suit- 

 able localities in Independent Burma. 



Throughout the Tenasserim Hills, while brunneopectus is 

 pretty well restricted to the more dense hill forests, the present 

 species is nearly confined to the forests and thin tree jungles of 

 the plains that skirt the bases of these hills, and the low mounds 

 or hillocks that are dotted about these. 



This species was first obtained in the Amherst district of the 

 Tenasserim Provinces. Colonel Tickell, its discoverer, remarked 

 in regard to it : — 



" It appears tolerably numerous, but, as far as my observa- 

 tions go, is entirely confined to the forests on the banks of the 

 Zummee River. Unlike its known congeners, it avoids moun- 

 tains, and inhabits low, though not humid, jungles, where the 

 ground merely undulates or rises into hillocks. 



" Like the rest of its tribe, it is difficult to flush, and runs with 

 great rapidity, jumping adroitly over obstacles, and diving into 

 impenetrable thickets for security. Early in the mornings these 

 birds come out on the pathway, scratching about amongst the 

 elephant's dung, and turning over the dead leaves, for insects. 

 They do not appear to have any crow or call, though during the 



