TO1 WliflM MIDI 



Bambusicola fytchii, Anderson. 



Vernacular Names,— [Vengte (Kuid) 



HIS species is common about Shillong, in the Khasi 

 Hills, and it occurs also in the Ga.ro, North Cachar 

 and Naga Hills, but it has not as yet been recorded 

 from any other localities within our limits. As, how- 

 ever, it greatly affects concealment, and chiefly 

 haunts dense grass and bamboo jungle, and even at 

 Shillong remained unnoticed until quite recently, it 

 very probably will prove to occur in suitable localities through- 

 out the hill ranges of Upper Burma and Assam south of the 

 Brahmaputra. 



Dr. Anderson, the discoverer of this species, first procured it 

 in old rice clearings on the hill sides of Ponsee, in Yunan, at 

 an elevation of 3,000 feet, and Pere David says that it must 

 extend to the south-west corner, at any rate, of Sechuen, whence 

 he has seen a live specimen. 



Nothing further is at present known of its distribution. 



THE BAMBOO Partridge seems to be a shy bird, frequenting 

 dense grass, never seen except at early dawn in the open, and 

 only rarely caught sight of at other times scuttling along some 

 jungle path. 



They are said to be difficult to flush, but to fly rapidly for a 

 short distance when roused ; to perch freely on trees, but to feed 

 habitually on the ground on grass seeds, berries and insects. 

 The note, often heard in the spring, is said to be loud and harsh, 

 somewhat fowl-like in its character, and totally distinct from the 

 soft low whistle of the Hill Partridges. 



Mr. Damant writes : — 



" This bird occurs in the Garo, North Cachar, and Naga Hills. 

 I have only found it in heavy forest jungle at heights of not less 

 than 2,500 feet ; it is generally found in pairs, and is difficult to 



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