50 
Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology 
98. Francolinus perlatus (GmeL). 
This bird is numerous in Hongkong, inhabiting the patches of 
bushes and fern that so frequently occur in nooks and depressions 
on the hill-sides, whence it is very difficult to flush it, even with 
a good dog. If you mark a bird down, you are by no means sure 
of putting it up again. It is a solitary bird, and does not 
associate in coveys. In the early mornings of April, and during 
the greater part of the day, if cloudy, you may hear them cry¬ 
ing to each other on the hills around that enclose the Happy 
Valley. One male starts the song “ ke-kai, ke-kai, ka-karr,” 
another on an adjoining hill defiantly repeats the notes ; a third, 
still further, is heard, and even a fourth, until the notes are lost 
as it were in a distant echo. The first bird then commences 
again, adding greater emphasis to the last note, and the other 
birds take up the song in succession as before. When heard 
near, these notes sound harsh to the ear; but at a distance they 
have a pleasant, wild effect as they sweep over the sides of 
the towering hills. The flesh of this Francolin is white and 
insipid. 
99. Coturnix dactylisonans, Temm. 
Common; but, I think, merely as a winter visitant when corn 
takes the place of rice in the fields. Numbers are captured and 
brought to market in baskets \ the best males being first selected, 
and confined separately in straw bags, for pugilistic purposes. For 
the table, they sell at 4s, or 5s. the dozen ; but the warlike indi¬ 
viduals fetch Is. or 2s. apiece. 
100. Coturnix chinensis (Linn.). 
This diminutive and, prettily-marked species is found in the 
neighbourhood of Canton, to which city it is carried singly or in 
pairs, and offered for sale in cages. It is by no means common, 
and is much esteemed as a cage-bird. 
P* 
101. Turnix joudera, Hodgs. ? 2W 
This a good deal resembles the bird figured in Gray’s f Genera 
of Birds ’ with the above name, but is rather larger. You find it 
occasionally in the Hongkong markets mixed up with Quails, 
from which it is distinguished by Europeans by the name 
