During the breeding season the male birds may call from a promi- 
nent perch at any time of day, though early morning and late afternoon, 
into the dusk, are perhaps preferred. As the season progresses, they 
are apt to call less often and then usually when the day is cloudy, wet 
or still. There is apt to be a resurgence of calling in late summer but 
in fall and winter they are often almost silent though on one occasion 
Bohl heard many males calling as late as November 22 in northern India. 
interbreeding 
As previously indicated subspecies cross readily where ranges over- 
lap and the various species of the black francolin will interbreed, at 
least in captivity. No crosses between the black and the gray francolins 
are recorded either in the wild or in captivity. 
Predation 
Throughout their range, black francolins are exposed to predators 
in variety and numbers at least comparable to those present in the United 
States, In India, mongoose and jungle cats are common. From 1960 to 
1962 we killed 18 full grown jungle cats (Felix chaus) and 5 mongooses 
in our compound at the edge of New Delhi, in which our birds were condi- 
tioned for shipment. Scrivastava (49) witnessed a "partridge" being 
caught by the Indian lynx (Caracal caracal) near Saharanpur. Foxes are 
less in evidence but jackals are common as are hawks and great-horned 
owls. No unusual losses from predators are reported in the literature or 
were observed by us or our trappers. 
Reproductive Capacity 
There exists an unfortunate hiatus in our knowledge of the repro- 
ductive capacity of this species. But the demonstrated abundance of 
these birds, where conditions are favorable, fathers the thought that it 
must be substantial. The facts, so far as is known, are as follows: 
Breeding age -- Black francolins breed the first year following 
hatching. 
Number of eggs -- Normally 6 to 8 with up to 15 reported by some 
writers. 
Brood survival -- No information, 
Life span -- In captivity up to 6 or 7 years. 
Sex ratio -- In India where these birds were caught by driving them 
into nets it was normal to catch about 55 to 60 percent females and 40 
to 45 percent males. Since the males are generally considered to be 
easier to trap than the females, it is probable that the sex ratio is 
unbalanced in favor of the Latter. 
34 
