IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 323 



coverts and the primaries narrowly edged with buff ; sides of the breast 

 and belly banded ; the feathers being ashy at the base, black in the 

 middle and tipped brown ; bill red ; irides buff ; legs and feet red ; 

 total length varies from 15 to 17 inches. The female resembles the 

 male, but has no spur, and the general colouring of the plumage is 

 somewhat dull. 



Two varieties of chukars have commonly been exhibited.. Some 

 specimens are dark, with bright red bill and legs ; others pale and 

 light coloured. These differences are due (vide Hume's " Birds ") to the 

 varying conditions of the climate in which they live. 



Hab. — Throughout the Himalayas, from the east of Nepal to 

 Afghanistan, and from thence southwards to the level of the sea ; 

 the salt range of Punjab. It also occurs beyond the Himalayas, in 

 Chinese Thibet, Southern Mongolia, and the mountainous parts of 

 Northern China. 



Length or life in captivity. 



Although specimens have lived for five or six years, they do not 

 as a rule thrive in the climate of Bengal. 



(349) THE HIMALAYAN SNOW COCK. 



(TETKAOGALLUS HIMALAYENSIS-Gm#.) 

 Hab. — Throughout the Himalayas from the east of Kumaon, 



(350) THE THIBETAN SNOW COCK. 



(TETBAOGALLUS TIBETANUS— Gould.) 



Hab. — The specimen exhibited in the garden was said to have 

 been brought from Almora. 



Both the above species were very short-lived in this garden. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — Wet and damp should be avoided. Though not generally 

 retiring in disposition, these birds all like concealment, and provision 

 should be made that they may enjoy it when they like ; small elongated 

 boxes without a bottom placed on the floor, heaps of hay and straw, 

 shrubs in pots may be advantageously used for this purpose ; these 

 birds when kept in a large aviary appear to do well ; proper accom- 

 modation for partridges ought to be of the same style as that recom- 

 mended for pheasants ; new arrivals should not be placed in a house 

 lighted from the sides, but when this is unavoidable, a piece of tarred 

 canvas may be hung up against the wire to prevent the glare. 



Food. — Grains and seeds of various kinds, insects, maggots, and 

 vegetables ; some of them are foul feeders, and enjoy stable refuse 

 and filth. 



Breeding. — The black and the grey partridges have frequently 

 laid in this garden, without even making any nest. 



Transport. — May be generally treated like the pheasants. 



