FOREWORD 
Much game habitat in southern Asia resembles, in many respects, 
that found in the southern and southwestern United States. In some 
regions game birds are abundant. Over 70 species and subspecies are 
resident in the Indian subcontinent alone. For the past 12 years 
biologists of the Bureau's Foreign Game Introduction Program have 
reviewed the literature and made on the spot analyses of the char- 
acteristics of most of these birds. Based on the results, 10 species 
were selected for intensive study. The purpose was to determine 
whether or not trial introductions into the United States, of one or 
more of these species, might be justified. 
The current report summarizes the results of studies of two 
species, the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) and the gray 
francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus). Attention is directed to two 
subspecies, the northern black francolin and the northern gray fran- 
colin, which appear to be particularly worthy of consideration in 
detail. 
Though the senior author was directly responsible for this study, 
it was in many respects a team effort. My assistant, Wayne H. Bohl, 
and photographers of the U. S. Information Service in Pakistan and 
India, took many of the illustrations. Both Bohl and Glen C. Chris- 
tensen were active in the field work involved and contributed valuable 
information. My wife, Janet Bump, reviewed the literature, examined 
birds trapped in India for evidence of diseases and parasites, handled 
the hatching of eggs, the rearing of the young chicks and constructed 
the climacurves and climatic comparisons for this report. Their un- 
failing support, and that from many others, has made this report 
possible. 
Gardiner Bump 
