THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 
575 
PeRDIX HODGSOXI^ SIFAXIC/». 
The Kansu Partridge. 
Perdix sifanica. — Prjevalskv, Mongali Straua Taug. II., p. 124 
(1876), (Kansu) ; Bailey, XXII., p. 367 (1913). 
Perdix liodgsonice sifanica. — Hartert, Vog. Pal.,p. 1937 (1921). 
VernarMlar Karnes. — Sakpa (East Tibet) Rhakpa, (Central 
Tibet) (F. M. B.) 
Description . — Similar to P. h. liodgsonice, but much less richly 
coloured, the blue-grey tint on the upper parts is either absent alto- 
gether or is confined to the upper back or interscapularies. The 
lower parts also are duller, and there is less chestnut on the flanks 
and sides of breast. The black on the cheeks is also less in extent 
than it is in P. h. liodgsonice, and never meets below the throat. 
Colours of Soft Parts as in the preceding bird. 
Measurements . — This is a smaller bird than the last, the wing 
measiu’ing from 140 to 1.53 mm., with the other measurements in 
proportion. 
Distribution. — N. E. Tibet, Nanschan, Koko Nor to Scetzschuan. 
K idification.—P^ggs, taken by Tibetans in extreme Xorth-East 
Tibet and sent to me by Mr. D. Macdonald are quite indistinguish- 
able from those of the Tibetan Partridge. Prjevalsky found young 
birds in August in Kansu, but the birds were not sitting in early May, 
and had only commenced laying. 
Habits . — Similar to those of the last bird. Bailey found it 
between 12,500 and 15,000 feet at suitable places at Litang to 
Dokeng in the Upper Irrawaddy Valley. 
Prj evalsky records : 
“ We found this bird in the Alpine regions of Kansu (it does 
not extend further northwards), principally in the rhododendron 
thickets about the sources of the Tutunga, where the mountains 
are covered with small tufts of Potentilla tenuifolia. It descends 
to the plains, which, how'ever, are not at a low^er elevation than 
about 10,000 feet above the sea level. 
Its habits are very similar to those of Perdix barbata, 
only the voice is different. When taking to wing, it utters a 
more squeaking but louder note than this latter, and its call note 
is also harsher.” 
Other observers have noted that the ordinary nuptial call of the 
breeding male is very like that of Perdix perdix, if indeed it is in any 
way distinguishable from it. 
Both this and the last bird eat almost any sort of seed or insect, 
and for the table Colonel Bailey tells me that he cannot see much 
difference between Perdix hodgsoniic and the English Partridge. 
(Jo be continued.) 
