THE PAINTED SPUR-FOWL. 
Galloperdix hmulosa, 
Plate XLI. 
The Spur-Fowls, or Spurred Partridges of India, forming the genus Galloperdix, are remarkable for the 
formidable double spurs with which they are armed, as well as for their beautiful shape and elegant plumage. 
Three species of this group occur in various parts of our Eastern possessions, the present bird being found 
in the Ghauts of Southern India; the Rufous Spur-Fowl (G. spadiceus) ranging pretty generally over the whole 
peninsula; and the Ceylonese Spur-Fowl (G. ceylonensis) taking the place of the former two in Ceylon. All 
three of these birds are figured in the sixth part of Mr. Gould’s splendid work on the “ Birds of Asia.” 
The Zoological Society received a single male example of the Painted Spur-Fowl in the early part of 1853, 
and retained it in a living state for several months in their Gardens, where its sprightly actions and fine 
plumage attracted general notice. Since its death, unfortunately, it has not been replaced by others. 
Mr. Jerdon, of Madras, has given figures of the male and female of this bird in his “Illustrations of 
Indian Ornithology.” The following are the notes of this experienced observer, concerning its habits in a 
state of nature. 
“In Southern India I have only found this very handsome Spur-Fowl in the jungles of the Eastern 
Ghauts, and in some of the spurs that jut out from them both above and below. M. Delessert procured it in 
the neighbourhood of Pondicherry. I obtained many specimens from the Ghauts inland from Nellore, and I 
have been told that it is found near Bellary, Caddapah, and Hyderabad. Farther north I never saw it from 
Goomsoor, and it is unknown in Bengal and the Himalayas. General Hardwicke procured it, I believe, in the 
north-west of India. 
It associates in small flocks, keeping to the low shrubs and brushwood, and seeking its food among fallen 
leaves and low herbage. I kept several individuals of this species alive for some time, and found that it is a 
most pugnacious and quarrelsome bird. It carries its tail erect like the Jungle Fowl, to which the natives 
invariably assert its affinity, as they also do of G. spadiceus. 
I have found that both the Spotted and Common Spur-Fowl feed much on insect food in the wild state, 
especially on the larva; of two or three kinds of wood-bug (Reduvim), so abundant in most of our jungles.” 
