FRANCOLINUS LEYAILLANTII. 
Form, &c.— Figure moderately robust. Head small. Bill long and 
slightly arched, the upper mandible much longer than the lower, flattened 
and spatulate towards the point, the latter obtuse and semicircular. Wings 
rounded, and when folded reach a little beyond the base of the tail ; the 
fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers longest, the second and third rather 
s lorter, and the first a little shorter than the second. Tail rather short and 
rounded at the point. Tarsi compressed and reticulated, the scales in front 
large, those behind rather smaller, and what cover the sides the smallest. 
oes moderately strong, with distinct rudimentary webs, the web between 
the outer and middle toes well developed. Claws considerably curved rather 
strong and blunt at the points. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 14 g 
of the bill to the angle of the 
mouth 1 8 
of the wings when folded . . 6 6 
of the tail 2 6 
Male. Colours nearly the same as 
mens each sex has the tarsi armed with 
found in either. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of the tarsus 2 0 
of the outer toe 0 1 ] 
of the middle toe j ^ 
of the inner toe 0 g j 
of the hinder toe n 01 
those of the female. In some speci- 
a spur, in others that appendage is not 
, peC,mens of thls Francolin are found in many districts of the Cape Colony ; but the num- 
bers are greatest towards the sea-coasts, and in the eastern parts of the settlement They 
occur chiefly in open grassy plains ; and they seek their food, which consists in a great mea 
sure of small bulbous roots, among the herbage. When they are disturbed in their favourite 
ocalities, they generally seek concealment in whatever brushwood may exist in the neighbour 
hood ; and when once they reach the cover it is no easy matter to get them again on the win. 
They continue motionless even though the copse be beaten by dogs; and as they perch on 
Wrer’ 1008 ’ ^ ^ rar6ly d ' SC0Vered butby the huntcrs ’ who look for them among the 
This species manifests a considerable resemblance to Francolinus Gariepensis ; but when 
he two are contrasted many marked differences are palpable. The arrangement and tints of 
ie colours, if no better character existed, would even evince that they are not identical • 
bu there are more palpable and ready diagnostics by which each is to be recognised. The 
y o F.LemMantn is much longer and stronger than that of F. Gariepensis; the number 
an distribution of bands on the neck are different, the tarsi are considerably longer the feel 
larger, and the tail is shorter. S ’ he feet 
