1840.] 



of tlie Peninsula of India." 



5 



and grain-fields, espe ially those of wheat, and also long grass b.y the 

 sides of rivers, water-courses and elsewhere. The cock bird has a most 

 peculiar crowing note, which though not very loud, is yet heard a long 

 way off. It may be heard morning and evening uttering this croak, 

 generally seen to do so whilst perched on a bu-h. Mr. Elliot says well 

 on this subject—" Its peculiar cry may be expressed by the syllables 

 Che M'lerrev, pronounced very gutturally. The poults chirrup like 

 crickets " The painted Partridge is not found in coveys, generally single 

 or in pairs. It breeds during the monsoon, lays 6 or 7 eggs of a smoky 

 bluish white colour, of an oval form, much depressed at the thick end. 

 It is not held in very high esteem for the table. Bill blackish ; irides 

 brown ; legs yellowish red. Length about 12 inches ; tarsus ly^oths ; 

 weight of male about 11 oz. 



Sub Genus FRANCOLINUS.-->S)?Mrre^/ Partridge!^. 



273. — jP. Ponticeriamrs,~-Perd. Orientalifi, Gray and Hardw., 111. Tnd. 

 Zoo\. ~Teetw\ 11— Common Partridge of India— ^cayew^er Partridge of 

 some. 



The common Partridge is found in every port of the peninsula, both in 

 bushy ground, and more especially in cultivated lands, fields and ga'^dens, 

 delighting in the hedge rows. It perches freely even during the day. 

 The cock bird has a most peculiarly loud and piercing call. It is often 

 caught and tamed by the natives, and becomes most familiar, following 

 its owner like a dog and uttering its loud call, when whistled or spoken 

 to. It is also much used for fighting, which it does with great courage 

 and spirit. Its flesh is held in no esteem by Europeans. It breeds 

 towards the end of the monsoon, and in the cold weather. An opinion 

 prevails among the natives, that th^ partridge lives for seyen years, and 

 is then changed into a Cobra di capella ! 



274. — F. Spadiceus. — Perd. Spadiceus, Lath. — Spur-fowl of Europeans 

 in India. 



Unlike the last species, the spiir-fnvl is only found in the denser jun- 

 gles, as well as of the Eastern as of the Western Coast, and generally 

 along with the Jungle fowl. It is found in the low brushwood of the 

 lofty forests, and when flushed, as it is with difficulty, frequently perches on 

 the bough of some loftj tree. It is generally found in pairs, and feeda 

 on various seeds and insects. I found the craws of some crammed with 

 insects alone, among which various species of Cimices were the most 

 predominant. Its flesh is excellent and of very high flavour. It is 

 found on the top of the Neilgherries in the dense woods there. The 



