THE GAME BIRBS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 573 
sometimes been claimed close to Darjiling, nor is the country there 
suitable for it. It is found in both the Abor and Mishmi Hills in the 
extreme North, but does not appear to be nearly so numerous there as 
it is in Tibet. 
Nidification.~The Tibetan Partridge breeds in great numbers 
over practically the whole of Tibet in suitable ground between 11,000 
feet and 15,000 feet. Major Barnes took its nest at an elevation of 
over 16,000 feet, and Mr. Macdonald has obtained eggs for me at 
places which he tells me are at about 17,000 feet elevation. Pro- 
bably its favourite situations are on the huge plateau-plains between 
12,000 and 14,000 feet. The nest is nothing more than a scratching 
in the soil, an inch or two deep, and 6 or 7 inches across ; in some 
wind-blown and fallen leaves and grass may collect in the hollows, 
but in other cases the eggs are laid directly on the bare soil. As a 
rule the site selected is one protected by rocks or bushes , sometimes 
it is scratched in amongst the low thorny bushes which cover so great 
a part of the Gyantse and similar plains, and sometimes, it may be 
placed at the foot of a single bigger bush or clump of grass. But 
the eggs may also be taken on ground which is absolutely devoid of all 
vegetation, in between a couple of rocks or under some boulder. In 
all cases, however, the nest is placed on the leeward side of the hill 
and to the leeward of the bush, rock or other protecting cover. The 
breeding season commences in the end of May and eggs are laid 
throughout June and early July, occasional clutches, perhaps second 
layings when the first have been destroyed, in the end of that month 
and early August. Prjevalsky found a few eggs laid in early May 
by P. h. sifanica in Kansu, though the hens were not then sitting. 
They lay from 6 or 7 to 11 and 12 eggs sometimes, perhaps, even 
more than this, as Prjevalsky speaks of clutches of 15 eggs and over ; 
probably, however, 8 to 10 is the most common number of eggs laid. 
In appearance they are very much like the Common Partridge’s 
eggs. The colour varies from a pale reddish bufi which is rare, 
through warm buff, olive buff or reddish olive to a warm, clear olive. 
The shape is normally a rather long oval, the smaller end well pointed 
and occasionally becoming almost peg-top in character. 
The texture is very close and fine, and there is a faint gloss, rarely 
very highly developed. 
One hundred and fifty eggs average 37 '6 by 27*2 mm.; the maxima 
are 43'0 by 26 3 and 39’8 by 28'4 mm., and the minima are 31'1 by 
27 ‘8 and 38‘1 by 219 mm. The minima exclude certain pigmy 
specimens which are not uncommon in clutches of this Partridge’s 
eggs. 
The hen-bird is said to be a very close sitter and an excellent 
mother, and the cock-bird an equally attentive father and husband. 
Habits . — In summer the Tibetan Partridge is found principally 
between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, but wanders up to nearly 19,000 feet, 
