FRANCOLIN. 
countries of Europe where it is found: it inha- 
bits, also, Rhodes ; the Isle of Cyprus ; Samos ; 
Barbary, especially in the vicinity of I'ur.is; 
Egypt ; the coasts of Asia ; and Bengal. In 
all these places, both Francolins and Par- 
tridges occur ; but they have each their ap- 
propriated name, and form distin6l species. 
As these birds are very rare in Europe, and 
their flesh is excellent food, the killing them 
has been forbidden in many countries, under 
severe penalties: and hence, it is said, they de- 
rive the name Francolin ; becalise they enjoy 
a sort of freedom, under the prote6lion of 
these prohibitions. 
*' Little more can be said of this bird, than 
what the figure suggests. It's plumage is very 
beautiful ; it has a conspicuous collar, of an 
Grange-colour. It is rather larger than the 
Common Partridge : the Female is smaller 
than the Male ; the colours of her plumage 
fainter, and less variegated. These birds feed 
on grain, and they may be bred in aviaries ; 
though care must be taken to give each a small 
separate crib, where it may squat and conceal 
itself, and to strew sand, and a little gravel, 
on 
