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I •'

1

IndBan Institute, Oxford.

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THE

GAME BIRDS

AND

WaO FOWL OP INDIA;

BEING

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE SPECIES OF GAME BIRDS,
SNIPE, AND DUCK FOUND IN INDIA,

WITH

AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR HABITS AND GEOGRAPHICAL

DISTRIBUTION.

BY T. C. JERDON, ^

BURGEON MAJOB, MADBAS ABMT,

AUTHOR OF " ILLU8XBATIOMS OF INDIAIV ORNITHOLOGY," " THE BIRDS OF INDIA," &C.

PRINTED FOE THE AUTHOR AT THE MILITARY ORPHAN PRES£^

6, BANKSHALL STREET.

1864.

:pE/E:f.a.ob.

-•o«<

The following pages are a verbatim transcript from
the Author's * Birds of India/ relating to the Game birds
and Wild-fowl of India, and are put in a separate form
to meet the views of such sportsmen as do not care to
possess a general work on the Ornithology of India. The
only birds omitted, which might perhaps have been in-
troduced, are the European Crane, Chrus cinereay and the
Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgOy both occasionally
called Koolung by sportsmen, though the name is properly
restricted to the former bird ; and these will be found
described in the Birds of India, Vol. II, p, 664 e^ seq.

OOnSTTEIiTTS.

•%•

Page.

... 7

... 19

... 23

... 23

... 29

... 35

... 37

... 40

... 45

... 49

... 54

... CI

... 68

... 70

... 71

... 74

... 77
... 80
... 82
... 85
... 9U

Bush-quails -. •• — '" ^^

... 108

... 117

... 122

Florikin ... — — "• '" jgg

Sand-grouse or Rock Pigeon
Peafowl, ...
Pheasants ...

Monaul

Argus-pheasants
Blood-pheasant
Pukras or Koklas

Cheer

Kalij

Jungle-fowl •••

Spur -fowl

Snow-pheasants

Snow-partridge

Partridges

Black-Partridge

Painted Do.

Chukor Do.

Seesee Do. •••

Grey Do.

£yah Do.

HiU Do.

Bush-q

Quails

Bustard-quail

Bustards ...

Houbara ...

Woodcock ...
Saipe
Flamingo
Creese

Shoveller

Pintail

*••

... ••*

... 140
... 150
... 154
... 160

Spur-winged Gk)OBe ... ••• •" *" ^^^

Cotton Teal ... — *" *" ^^^

WhisUing-teal ... - •" •*' j^y

BraminyDuck ... •• "• 170

Shieldrake ... — — *" '*' j^g

... 174

WUdduck... ... - •" " jyg

Gadwall ... - — •" *" 179

... 181

Wigeon ... ••• - "• ^^^ jgg

Tftftl ... — ••'

... 187

Pochards ... ••• "• *" jgg

Mergansers

GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Ord. RASORES.

Syn. GalUntB, Linn.^i^— CraUutacet, Yieillot — Pulverairices of some
—Gallinaceous birds — Game birds.

Bill short, vaulted, mdre or less bent down at the tip ; nostrils
pierced in a membrane covering the base of the bill, and pro*
tected by a cartilaginous scale ; wings usually short and rounded,
but ample ; tail very variable, both in length and form, of from
twelve to eighteen feathers; legs and feet strong, feathered to
the tarsus, which is frequently spurred in the male ; three toes
before ahd one behind, the posterior one typically short, and
articulated above the plane of the anterior toes> wanting in a
few ; nails strong, blunt^ and but slightly curved.

The Gallinaceous birds, of which the domestic fowl may be taken
as the type, comprise the most important and useful members of
the whole class. The name of the order which I have adopted, as
being in conformity with those of the other orders, and, moreover,
in general use by English Ornithologists, is taken from their habit
of scraping in the ground to procure their food. Unlike the order
Gemitores, it contains a considerable variety of distinct types.

Taking them generally, they may be said to be birds of
moderate or rather large size, heavy form, with a strong, short,
and arched bill; very stout legs and feet, with the hind ^ toe
usually small and raised^ and the shank furnished, in many, with
a spur. In two of the families, however, the hind toe is on the
same plane as the anterior ones, and in one family often absent
entirely. The front toes are usually joined at their base by a
short connecting web. In all cases, they seek their food on the
ground ; and this consists of grain, seeds, roots, buds, and insects.
Many are polygamous, and in these, the male bird is larger, and
adorned with much richer plumage than the female ; and many are
furnished with crests of various forms. The hen is usually more

a

2 GAME BIRDS OF INl^IA.

prolific than in any previous tribe. They are often social^ in
some groups even gregarious ; they do not wash, but roll
themselves in the dust, and almost all nestle on the ground. The
young of all are bom covered with down, and run as soon ad
hatched. They are more or less capable of domestication^ and
all afford an excellent and wholesome food for man.

The head is smaller than in the birds of the preceding orders,
and the neck, longer ; the wings are generally rounded and feeble,
the sternum from its large notches affording but little space for
the attachment of the pectoral muscles which^ however, are well
developed, giving the bird a plump appearance ; and the flight,
though not capable of being continued, is yet tolerably rapid and
powerful, though labored^ for a short distance. The bill in most is
thick, shorty and convex, slender in two of the families. The tail
is short and even in some, rounded in others, forked in several,
and lengthened and graduated in a few.

The skull of most Hasores is narrow, but slightly raised, and
without ridges, and the bony orbit is incomplete. The cervical
vertebrse are of greater number than in any of the preceding
orders, varying from 13 to 15. The sternum has a double bifur-
cation on each side, and the fissures are so wide and deep as to
give to the lateral parts of the bone the appearance of a bifur-
cated process. The median fissure is the deepest ; the keel is short,
shallow, and nearly straight ; the furcula is anchylosed, and, as in
most of the previous groups, is joined to the sternum below by
ligaments. The tarsal spur, present in many Gallinaceous birds, and
represented by a knob in others, is considered to be the representa-.
tive of the thumb, and is present in no other order but in this.

The dilatation of the oesophagus, called the crop, is large but
single* ; the gastric glands are complex, and form a complete circle ;
the gizzard is extremely strong, the internal coat being thick and
hard ; and as the birds of this order swallow small stones, gravel,
&c., to assist in the trituration of the food, two callous buttons
are formed in the gizzard by the constant pressure and friction.
The ccBca are, in general, highly developed in Gallinaceous birds ;
small comparatively in the more aberrant families, enormous in
some, especially in the Grouse tribe. The gall bladder is

RASOUE9. 3

believed to be always present The trachea is of pretty uniform
diameter in most, and the muscles are exceedingly simple, so
that the Raaores cannot modulate their voice. In most of the
groups, the accessory plume to the clothing feathers is present,
and is large indeed in many.

This order is remarkable for comprising so many species capable
of domestication, and the common fowl, which undoubtedly takes
its origin fromi the Ked Jungle-fowl, has been domesticated from
the earliest period.

Gallinaceous birds evince many interesting analogies with
Ruminating animals among Mammals. Tlie crop may be said to
represent the paunch, both being simply dilatations of the oesopha-
gus to receive the food, and thoroughly moisten it ; and the coeca
of both are large. ITiey have both a low degree of intelligence,
are easily domesticated, and are more prone to variation than
most other tribes. The head, too, is in many of both orders,
adorned with appendages, horns, and crests ; and they afford more
wholesome food to man than any other orders.

The Sasares are found over the greater part of the world ; but
the finest and the most typical groups, containing, too, the greatest
variety of form, are from Asia. Africa possesses one group
peculiar to that region, and several others nearly related to Asiatic
forms. In America there are but few of the more typical groups,
but two of the most aberrant divisions occur there only. In
Australia they are sparingly represented by one very aberrant
group, and by a very few members of the typical division. Europe
and the more Northern portions of both Continents contain one
fine group.

The nearest approach among Insessorial birds to the Basores
occurs perhaps in some of the American Cuckoos ; and that
remarkable bird, the Hoazin^ Opistliocomus crutatus, was
placed by some naturalists among those birds, but is better
associated with Penelope, a genus of the aberrant Cracidte,
If that truly wonderful bird, the Lyre-bird of Australia, be
really an Insessorial type, however, it must be considered to
be a still closer link to the aberrant Megapodidce, See further
on page 7. On the other side, the Rasores may be said to join

4 GAME BIHDS of INDIA.

the Grallatores through the Bustards ; and the Megapodida also
appear to have some afiinities for the Rails.*

1 shall divide the Rasores into the following families : —

A, Hind toe on the slime plane as the anterior ones.

1. CraeidcBy Curassows and Guans, peculiar to America.

2. Meffapodida, Mound-birds, peculiar to Australia, and

Malajana.

B. Hind toe raised above the level of the others, or
wanting.

3. Pteroclida^ Sand-grouse, chiefly from Africa and Asia, not
extending into Malajana.

4. P/umanida^ chiefly from Central and Southern Asia.

5. Tetraonida, Grouse and Partridges, found over all the world,
but rare in Australia and South America.

6. TinamidiBy mostly American, but sparingly represented in
the tropical regions of the Old World, and Australia.

BIyth does not admit the separation of the PhatianidiB and
Tetraonidee^ and certainly these are more nearly related to each
other than either of them are to any of the other families ; but
this appears to be always the case with the more typical groups
of any order ; and, moreover, the Geographical distribution of
each family differs considerably ; for, whilst the Phasianida are,
with one limited exception in America, and that a doubtful
member, confined to Asia, and more especially to India and
Central Asia, the Tetraonida are found over all the world, rare,
indeed, but not unrepresented in Australia and South America.
The fact of certain species of the two families occasionally
breeding together, as the Pheasant and Black-grouse (insisted
on by some as a proof of the close alliance of these two genera),
I consider to be not more anomalous in this order than it could
be of two allied genera of another order interbreeding ; and I
would regard it simply as an occasional peculiarity in the birds

* The subject of the external relations and affinities of yarions groups of
animals, though long insisted on hj some naturalists, was, till recently, scouted by
many ; but the researches and yiews of Darwio as to the successive development of
all created beings, has given a fresh impetus to this interesting subject of enquiry.

CBACID^. 5

of this group ; for those who rely on it as a proof of the close
affinity between such birds, would surely not assert that the affinity
between the Grouse and the Pheasant was greater than that
between certain species of Partridges for example, which, though
living in the same localities, have not been known to breed
together.

The family CRAGiDiB, comprising the Curassows and Oaans, are
exclusively American. They are birds of large or moderate size,
with the tarsus moderately long, stout, and destitute of spurs ; the
toes elongated and slender, and the hind toe long, and on a level
with the others. The tail is moderately long, broad, of fourteen
stiff feathers, rounded in some, graduated in others. The head
of a few is adorned with a crest of recurved feathers; the
membrane at the base of the bill is highly colored in some ; there
is a solid knob at the base of the bill in others ; and, in one
division, the skin of the throat is naked and dilatable. The
sternum has the crest very deep, and the inner notch reduced to
about one-third of the outer. Several have a remarkable con- '
formation of the trachea, which descends along the skin behind
the sternum, and then, making a curve, re-enters the thorax. The
supplementary plume is reduced to a mere downy tuft

These birds dwell in forests, and live on fruit, seeds, and insects,
mostly feeding on the ground. Some live in pairs, others in
societies. They chiefly nestle upon trees, laying few eggs, in
some cases only two ; and the young perch as soon as excluded
from the egg. They are easily tamed and reared, but have not
been domesticated. Their flesh is said to be white, tender, and
excellent. By their habits and structure, the Cradda appear to
be the link that joins the Pigeons to the Basores, approximating
the former in the structure of the feet and sternum, as well
as in their habit of nestling on trees, and laying but few eggs.

Gray divides them into Cracina and Penelopinm. The former,
the Curassows and Pauxis, are chiefly black, or black and white ;
the Guans are of various shades of brown. Near these birds,
according to some, should be placed the Cariamoy Microdactylus
cristatus, of Geoffrey {Dicholophus of Illiger), located by Cuvier
at the end of the Plovers. It is a large bird, as big as a Heron

6 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

with long legs, a short hind toe raised above the ground, a
moderately long, curved beak^ with a wide gape ; is of a brownish
colour, and crested. In its anatomy it is stated to resemble
Gallinaceous birds, differing in having the sternal emarginations
less deep, and in a few other points. '^ It is," says Blyth, *^ essen-
tially a Poultry-bird, with long legs."

The family Megapodid^, or Mound-birds, belong to Australia
and the Papuan province of the Malayan Archipelago, extending
among the islands as far as the Nicobars. They have all very
large and strong feet, with large claws, and the hind toe placed on
the same plane as the others. The tail is not always developed^
but, when present, consists of eighteen feathers. Some have
wattles, but most are devoid of those Gallinaceous appendages.
The sternum resembles in form, that of the Cracitia:, and the
accessory plume to the body feathers is tolerably developed.

Tiie birds of this family lay eggs of most enormous size, and of
a somewhat elongated shape, with a thin shell ; and they have the
peculiar habit of either hatching their eggs by the heat of the sun,
or by depositing them in huge masses of decaying leaves and
other vegetable matter. Several pairs of birds appear to assist
and lay their eggs in the same mound, and the male bird works
equally with the female. The eggs are deposited at a regular
depth, and at some distance from each other ; and the young,
when hatched, run at once. The eggs are said to be delicious
eating.

Gray divides them into Megapodinm^ and Talegallina, The
genus MegapodiuB contains a large number of species from
various islands, chiefly from the more Eastern portions of the
Archipelago. They are birds of plain dull greenish brown plu-
mage, somewhat smaller than a fowl, and yet the eggs of Megapo-
dius nicobariensis are as large, Mr. Blyth tells us, as those of a
Pea-fowl. The Leipoa oceUata is the most beautiful bird of the
group, and is called the Native Pheasant by Australian colonists.
Gray places in this division a very remarkable bird, Mesites varia*
gala of Is. Geoffrey, placed by others among the Bails.

Talegalla Ldthami, the type of the other sub-family, is as large
as a Turkey, and is called the Brush- turkey in Australia, from

SAND-GROUSE. 7

•

the naked head and neck which are only clad with a few hair-like
feathers ; and it is, moreover, furnished with a large yellow wattle.
It has bred in the Zoological Gardens of London. A second
species, 7*. Cumeriiy occurs in New Guinea ; and Megacephalon
makOf Temminck,* is another bird of the same division found in
Celebes.

The celebrated Lyre-bird of Australia, Menura auperba, has so
much the aspect of a Megapodine bird, that I cannot help consider-
ing it as not far removed from this family. Its extraordinary
and unique tail consists of sixteen feathers, a number unknown
among the Itutessoresy not one of which has more than twelve ;
its great size compared with that of the minute birds among
which it is usually placed by systematists, viz.j the Wrens,
and Warblers; its strong Gallinaceous legs and feet; its habit
of running with facility, which it always employs in prefer-
ence to flight ; — all these combine to remove this bird from the
Insessores ; and^ its geographic relations with the Megapodii must
also be taken into account. It is said, however, to build a neat
nest on a ledge of rock, to have the power of modulating its
voice, and that the young are helpless at birth. If these habits
are fully confirmed, I would still prefer placing it as a separate,
group next the MegapodidtBy with which it undoubtedly possesses
considerable afiinities ; and, in the Darwinian theory of transmuta-
tion of species, it must have sprung directly from an ambitious
Megapode which had desired to raise itself in the scale of
Birds.

Fam. Pteroglib^, Sand-grouse or Rock-grouse.

Sjm. SyrrhaptidiBf Blyth.

Bill somewhat slender and compressed ; wings lengthened and
pointed ; tarsus short, more or less plumed ; feet short ; hind toe
rudimentary, or wanting ; tail of sixteen feathers.

This is a very distinct natural family, both in structure and

habits, although placed by Gray and others as a sub*family of

the TetraaiiidiBi with which the species only agree in having a

' feathered tarsus. The bill is slender and nearly straight in some,

thicker and more curved in others; the orbits are more or less

8 GAME BTBDS OF INDIA.

nude ; the wings long and pointed, with the first primary longest,
or the first and second nearly equal. The tail varies, being
short and slightly rounded in some, longer and graduated in
others, with the medial feathers greatly lengthened in several,
and much attenuated at the tips. The tarsus is short, rather
slender in most, always feathered in front ; the toes are short,
either joined at the base by a small web> or soldered together.
The feathers of the lower back and rump are not lengthened,
and the clothing feathers are devoid, or nearly so, of the sup-
plementary tuft

The keel of the sternum is enormously developed, and the inner
emargination wanting, or represented by a small oval foramen,
as in Pigeons ; the sternum itself is very narrow, and contracted
in front : the furcula is short and wide, and does not possess the
medial appendage. In their internal anatomy, they closely re-
semble other Gallinaceous birds.

The Sand-grouse or Rock-grouse, commonly called Rock-
pigeons in India, are birds of remarkably rapid and powerful
flight. They feed almost entirely on hard seeds, breed on the
ground, laying usually three jor four dnU greenish spotted eggs ;
and the young run as soon as hatched. They are peculiar to the
warmer regions of the Old World, being particularly abundant in
Africa, and in the desert regions of Asia. Some assemble in
vast flocks, and fly to great distances ; others take more moderate
flights. The plumage of all is pale isabelline yellow, of various
shades, and more or less variegated with deep brown. Two
genera only are known, one common to Africa and Asia,
and the other peculiar to the highlands of Central Asia.

Gen. Pt£rocles, Temminck.

Char. — Bill small, slightly arched, the sides compressed ; nostrils
basal, almost concealed by the frontal plumes ; wings long and
pointed, the first and second quills longest ; tail moderate, wedge-
shaped or rounded, the central feathers often lengthened ; tarsi
feathered in front, reticulated posteriorly ; the anterior toes bare,
united at their base by membrane ; hind toe minute, raised ; the
claws short, stout, very slightly curved.

LABGE SAND-QROnSE. ' 9

' In this genus the sexes differ in plumage, the males being more
uniformly colored, and the females more or less spotted or barred.
They are found both in Asia and Africa, one or two species being
occasionally killed in the South of Europe. These are the birds
termed Bock-pigeons by sportsmen in India. Blyth* retains for
them the popular name of ' Gaxugai given them originally by Buffon,
but it is by no means generally known, and I prefer calling them
Bock or Sand-grouse, albeit not very closely related to the true
Grouse.

They sub-divide into two groups, the one with the tail-feathers
regularly graduated, restricted JPierocleSt apud Bonaparte; the other
with the medial rectrices lengthened and attenuated, Pteroclurus^
Bonaparte.

1. With the tail-feathers regularly graduated, not elongated.

1. Pterocles arenarins, Pallas.

Tetrao, apud Pallas— Temminok, PI. col. 354 and 360 —
Bltth, Cat. 1489-— GotJLD, Birds of Europe, pi. 257— Perdix
arragonica, Latham. — Buhht-titar^ Bur-^titarj Bakht-tU^ Buklit^
Sukht, fT., in various parts of the country ; also Ban-chur-^Kurmar
at Peshawur (from its cry.) •

The Large Sai^d-obouse.

Deacr. — Male, crown and middle of the nape brownish-grey
with a pinkish tinge ; rest of the upper parts mingled ashy and
fulvous, each feather being bluish ashy in the middle^ edged with
fulvous, giving a mottled appearance ; greater wing-coverts plain
ochreous or orange bu£f, and the median coverts also broadly edged
with the same ; quills and primary coverts dark slaty, with black
shafts : tail, as the back, fulvous, with black and ashy bands ;
all the lateral tail-feathers tipped with white; beneath, the
chin is deep chesnut, passing as a band, under the ear-coverts
to the nape ; and below this, on the middle of the throat, is a small
triangular patch of black ; the breast and sides of the neck dull
ashy, tinged with fulvous, with a narrow band of black on the
breast ; abdomen and vent deep black, under tail-coverts black,
with white margins to the feathers ; tarsal plumes pale yellowish.

♦ fi^engol Sporting Rcriew.

10 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Bill bluish; feet dull yellow ; irides dark brown. Length 12^
to 13^ inches ; wing 9| ; tail 4 ; tarsus 1^. The wings reach
nearly to the end of the tail, which has the two central feathers
very slightly lengthened and pointed. Weight 17 to 18^ ounces.

The female differs in having the whole head and upper parts,
with the breast, f ulvous, banded with brown ; the pectoral band is
narrower ; and between that and the black of the abdomen is
unspotted ; the chin is fulvous, with a narrow black edging and a
few black specks; the under tail-coverts pale fulvous. She is
said to be a little smaller, but one writer in the Bengal Spordng
Magazine states that she is heavier than the male.

This fine Suid-grouse is found, within our limits, only in the
N. W. Provinces and Sindh, rarely extending so low as Allaha-
bad, tolerably abundant in the Punjab, and said to be very
numerous towards the edges of the great desert. It is recorded
in the Bengal Sporting Magazine as common in the Doab between
the Ganges and Jumna, near Futteyghur, in Bohilcund, but more
common west of the Jumna, near Ferozepore, in Hurriana, and in
various parts of the Punjab. I have heard of its having been
killed near Nusseerabad^^d also in Khandeish. It is only a
winter visitant to India, arriving towards the end of September,
and leaving in March. It frequents extensive open sandy plains,
flies in vast flocks, being said to be more abundant than P. exuetue
in those parts where it does occur. Like the others of this tribe, it
goes regularly to certain spots on the banks of rivers or tanks to
drink, which it does twice a day, and it is fond of basking in the
sun and rolling on the sand. One writer records that he saw them
about sunrise leave their roosting places among sand hills, and
collect in thousands on a hard bare plain, close to where they usually
drank, but that they were neither feeding nor drinking at that
early hour, and came there, he suggests, for the sake of basking in
the early sun's rays. It feeds on grassy plains, and also on stubble
fields, and does so especially immediately after drinking.

The flight of this Sand-grouse is said to be amazingly strong and
rapid, and, when roused, it flies to great distances. It is generally
said to be a shy and wary bird, and difficult to approach closely,
from the open nature of the country it affects. It is highly

PAINTED SAND-GROUSE. 11

esteemed as a game-bird, and much sought after by many sports-
men, as well £or the difficulty of close access, as for its qualities on
the table. It is stated that from the closeness and firmness of its
plumage, it takes a good gun and heavy shot to bring it down.
A writer records the great preponderance of one sex in every
flock, sometimes killing seven or eight females and not one male,
and vice ver9d. The flesh is mixed brown and white on the breast,
and though somewhat tough when fresh, and perhaps requiring to
be skinned, it is reckoned delicious eating ; indeed, one writer says
that it is the finest game bird for the table in India. Shooting
them from a hole dug in the ground near their drinking spots is
said to be a very deadly way of making a good bag, and this I
can readily believe. It is caught in the neighbourhood of
Peshawur and other places in horse*hair nooses.

This Sand-grouse is conmion in Affghanistan, where it is called
Tuttirtik and Boora-kurra^ or black breast, and in various other parts
of Central and Western Asia, particularly in Arabia, where it is seen
in flocks of millions, according to Col. Chesney ; also in Northern
Africa, and the South of Europe, especially in Spain, where it is
said to be tolerably abundant in winter, and to be often brought to
the market at Madrid. It breeds in Central Asia, and also in Africa
according to Tristram, and even in Spain. This last writer states
the rather strange facts iJiat it chiefly feeds towards sunset, and
that it is almost domesticated in the Court-yards of the Arabs.
He also says that the flesh is white and dry. Can he be writing
of the same bird ?

2. Pterocles fasciatus^ Scofoli.

Tringa, apud ScopoLi— Blyth, Cat. 1490— Gould, Birds
of Asia, pt. II. pi. 14— Jbrdon, 111. Ind. Om. pi. 10 and 36— P.
quadricinctus, apud Jerdon, Cat. 271 — Handeri. H. in the South
. — Boot-bur, H. in the N. W.— Sanda polankuy TeL

The Painted Sand-qbouse.

Descr. — Male, general ground colour bright fulvous yellow,
the sides of the head, neck and breast, and shoulder of the wings
plain and unspotted ; the back, scapulars, tectiaiies^ and tail, banded

12 SAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

with deep brown ; a narrow white band on the forehead, then a
broadish black band, succeeded by another narrow ndiite one, and
then a narrow bhick band, widening behind the eye, ahd ending
in a white spot ; the occipnt and nape with black streaks ; quills
brown-black, with narrow pale edgings ; the median and greater
coverts of the wings and some of the secondaries broadly banded
with inky black, edged with white ; a triple band separates the
fulvous of the breast from the abdomen, the first maronne, the
second creamy white, and the third unspotted chocolate brown,
which is the ground colour of the abdominal region, vent, and
under tail-coverts, each feather being tipped with white.

Bill red ; orbitar skin lemon yellow ; irides dark brown ; feet
dull yellow; claws reddish. Length 10 inches; extent 21; wing
7 ; tail 3^ ; tarsus 1^ ; weight 7 to 8 oz.

The female differs in wanting the black and white bands on
the head, the pectoral bands, and the inky-black and white bars on
the wings, the whole upper surface, the sides of the neck, breast,
wings, and tail, being fulvous mixed with rufous, and finely barred
with black ; the chin, throat, ear-coverts, and some of the greater
wing-coverts are unspotted fulvous ; the lower part of the breast,
and the whole abdominal region very finely barred with chocolate
black and creamy white.

I'his very beautiful Sand-grouse has been generally confounded
with an African bird, P. quadrinctus of Temminck, from which
it differs in several particulars, the chief distinction being, accord-
ing to Strickland, in the African bird having the feathers of the
back, scapulars, tertiaries, and greater coverts, deep glossy black.

It is found over the greater part, of India, except in Malabar
and Lower Bengal, but it is by no means abundant any where, and
is apparently not found out of India. In some districts it is stated
to occur in the rains only. I have seen it in the Carnatic, the
Deccan, and Central India, and it is not unknown in the N. W«
Provinces, and Adams records it as pretty common in the low
jungles around the base of the Sewalik range, Punjab. It affects
chiefly bushy and rocky hills, and, unlike any others of its genus,
is often found in tolerably thick cover. It is found generally in
pairs, occasionally towards the end of the rains in parties of eight to

LABGB PIN-TAILED SAKD-GROUSB. 13

ten ; when flushed, rises with a low chuckliDg call, takes a short
flight at no great elevation, and drops into cover again. I have
very rarely seen it among rocks, where there was little or no
jungle. I have had the eggs brought me, very cylindrical in
form, of a dull earthy green with a few dusky spots. On several
occasions I have observed in this species crepuscular^ if not noc-
turnal habits. On one of these several flew round a field on
which I was encamped, near the Nerbudda, late one evening
when nearly dark, alighting every now and then, and again re-
suming their flight, which, being particularly noiseless, led me
to take it for some kind of Caprimulgui at first ; and more than,
once I again noticed similar habits.

P. lAehtemteini is not unlike P. fasciatusj but diflers in being .
larger, with the nape, front and sides of neck, and the fore part
of the wing, prettily variegated. It is common in Arabia, and
may occur as a straggler in Sindh, or in the Western Punjab.

With the medial tail-feathers greatly lengthened (JPteroelurus,

Bonap.)

3. Pterocles alchata, Linn^us.

Tetrao, apud Linn-eus— Bltth, Cat. 1491— Tet chata, Palla9
— Gould, Birds of Europe, pL 258 — * Solitary Bock-pigeon' of
some sportsmen.

The labge Pin-tailed Sakd-geouse.

Descr. — Forehead and supercilia rusty fulvous, with a black
stripe behind the eye ; . top of the head and nape fulvous with
black bands ; the general hue above, including the scapulars and
shoulders of the wings, is fulvous olive or greyish olive, shaded
with fuscous ; the scapulars with a few black spots ; rump and
upper tail-coverts bright pale fulvous with narrow black bars ;
lesser and median wing-coverts maronne, white tipped ; secondary
coverts fulvous with black lunules ; greater coverts and primaries
slaty blue on their outer webs, brown internally ; tail banded yellow
and black ; the median pair blackbh on their attenuated portion ;
the outer feathers greyish, white tipped and edged ; beneath, the
chin and throat are blacky edged with rusty ; lores and face rufous

14 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

yellow, with a blackish space round the eyes; breast pale fulvous,
with a double black band, each of them narrow ; abdomen^ vent,
and lower tail-coverts white, the lattei^ slightly black barred ;
tarsal plumes whitish.

Bill very stout, homy brown ; irides brown ; feet plumbeous.
Length about 15| inches ; wing 8 ; tail 6^ ; tarsus 1^.

The female differs in having the upper plumage barred with
black and fulvous, with some dusky ashy spots on the back and
scapulars; the lesser and median wing -coverts ashy, with oblique
rufous and black lunules; the throat white; a broad blackish
demi-collar on the neck, followed by an ashy band tinged with
rufous. The median tail-feathers are stated to be nearly as long
as in the male bird.

Thb species of Sand-grouse is a well known inhabitant of
Northern Africa, Western Asia, and the South of Europe, especially
in Spain, Sicily, the Levant, &c. ; and it extends through Central
Asia into the Punjab and Sindh. It is, however, a rare bird com-
paratively in India, only a few finding their way across the Sutlej.
It is recorded to have been killed at HansL I presume that like
P. arenariiu it is migratory to this country, and only found in the
cold season. It is a very beautiful bird, and the bill is much
thicker and stronger than that of any other of the genus.

It has a peculiar call, something like kaa-Ha^ said to be not unlike
the call of the Jackdaw ; it flies in flocks of from ten to seventy
or more, and is said to be very shy and wary, and more difficult to
approach than the large Sand-grouse. Its specific appellation is
taken from its Arabic name El-^hata or EUkatta^ which however
is also applied to P. arenarius. I have seen no notice of any
native name in this country for this species, and imagine that it is
called by the same names, as P. arenarius and P. exushts. From
this last it may be at once distinguished by its somewhat larger
size, stronger bill, and white belly. It breeds among rocks in
Central and Western Asia, Northern Africa and the South of
Europe, laying four or five eggs of a reddish grey colour, with
brownish spots.

It is said to swarm in countless numbers in Palestine, and Mr.
Blyth believes, and with justice, that this bird rather than the

COMMON SAND-GROUSE. 15

Coiurnia communia is the ' Quail' of the Israelites. Col. Chesney,
indeed, writes of it as a kind of Quail about the size of a Pigeon,
which at times literally darkens the air with its numbers.

4. Pterocles exostns, Temmince.

PL CoL 354, 360— Gould, Birds of Asia, pt, II. pi. 13—
Blyth, Cat. 1492— Jkedon, Cat. 270— Sykes, Cat. 161—
Bar-titar^ Bakht-titar, Kumar-tity H. — Kuhar^ H. in the N. W.

p. Jam polanka^ Tel. — Kal kovdari, Tam.— Rock-pigeon of

sportsmen in India.

The Common Sand-grousb.
Descr. — Male, general colour fulvous isabelline, brighter and
more yellow about the lores, face, and chin, and mixed with dusky
greenish on the back, wings, and upper tail-coverts; primaries
black, the tips of all, except the first three, white, broader on the
inner web ; a longitudinal median line on the wing, formed by
some of the coverts and secondaries being brighter buff; tail
with the central pair of feathers elongated and highly attenuated,
isabelline yellow; the lateral feathers deep brown, edged and
ti(»ped with pale fulvous; a narrow black band in the breast;
abdomen deep chocolate brown (burnt or singed colour, hence
€xustu8)j paling on the vent, and the under tail-coverts creamy
white, as are the tarsal plumes.

Bin leaden; orbits lemon yellow; irides dark brown; feet
plumbeous. Length 13 inches; wing 7^ ; tail 5* to 6 ; tarsus 1|.

Weight 8 to 9 oz.

The female has the whole upper phimage, including the tail-
feathers (except a plain bar on the wing formed by the greater
coverts) fulvous, closely barred with deep brown ; also the space
between the pectoral band and the abdomen ; neck and breast un-
spotted dingy isabelline, and abdomen as in the male. The central
lectrices are not elongated.

This is the most common and abundant species of Sand-grousd
throughout India, being found in every part of the country, except
the more wooded portions, and never occurring in forest districts.
It is therefore, quite unknown in Malabar, in the wooded districts
of Central India, and in Lower Bengal ; and neither this, nor any

16 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

of the previous species, as far as is knowiij occur to the eastwards,
in Assam, Sylhet, or Burmah. Out of India, it is common through
great part of Central and Western Asia, and Northern Africa, and
it is stated to have occurred rarely in Europe.

This Sand-grouse frequents the bare open plains, whether rocky
or otherwise, and is very partial to ploughed lands and bare fallow
fields. It feeds chiefly in the morning, and between 8 and 9 a. m.
goes to drink at some river or tank, at which, in some parts of the
country, thousands assemble, and they may be seen winging their
way in larger or smaller parties from all quarters, at a great height,
uttering their peculiar loud piercing call, which announces their
vicinity to the sportsman long before he has seen them. They
remain a few minutes at the water's edge, walking about and
picking up fragments of sand or gravel, and then fly off as they
came. In the hot weather, at all events, if not at all seasons,
they drink again about 4 p. M. When they are seated on bare
sandy or rocky ground, they are most difficult to observe, from the
similarity of their color to the ground ; sometimes they can be
aproached with ease near enough to get a good shot, at other
times, especially if in large flocks, they are shy and wary. A
small flock or single birds can often be approached very close by
walking rapidly, not straight, but gradually edging towards them ;
and, in this way, I have often walked up to within two or three
yards of them. They feed on various hard seeds, especially on
those of various AlffHcarpi^ Desmadium^ &c., as well as on grass
seeds or grain.

These Sand-grouse breed in the Deccan and Southern India
from December to May, and in Central India still later. In some
parts of the country, as at Mhow and Saugor, most of them leave
the district after breeding in July, and do not return till the end
of the rains. The eggs are laid on the bare ground, three or four
in number, of cylindrical form, nearly equally thick at both ends,
of a greenish stone colour, thickly spotted with grey and brown.

This bird, if kept long enough, is very excellent eating, though
the flesh is somewhat hard and tough, but with a high game
flavour ; and the young birds, when nearly full grown^ are most
excellent.

COMMON SAND-GROUSE. 17

A somewhat allied species, Pterocles senegallus^ Lin., of
which P* guttatus^ Licht., is the female, is common in Eastern
Africa and Arabia, &c., and has been figured by Gould in his
Birds of Asia, pt. III. pi. 6. Mr. Blyth was assured by a sportsman
to whom he showed specimens, that this species occurred in Sindh,
and was even more common there than P. exiistus ; however, as
no Indian examples have been examined, I cannot at present in-
clude it among the * Birds of India.' The male resembles P. eaniatus,
but is somewhat larger ; and both sexes have the throat and sides
of the neck very bright pale orange buff; above and behind this
colour the male has the sides of the head and nape of a pure
ash-grey ; there is no black bar on the breast, and the middle of
the abdomen only is sooty black. The female is curiously dotted
over with dusky grey upon a light buff, almost cream-coloured
ground.

Several other species of Pterocles occur in Africa^ one of
which, P. caronatus, has been found in Western Asia, and is
figured by Gould in his Birds of Asia, pt. III. pi. 7.

The genus St/rrhaptea differs from Pteroelee in having the feet
much smaller, joined together at the base, feathered to the claws,
and no hind toe ; the first two wing primaries, too, are lengthened
and attenuated. It was founded on Teircu) paradoxus, of Pallas,
a very handsome bird, inhabiting the desert regions of Central
Asia, which, strange to say, was lately killed in England, a notice
of which, with a very beautiful figure,- appeared in the Ibis
for 1862.

A second species has been found by several of our Indian
sportsmen just across the Himalayas, but not hitherto on the
Indian side, Syrrhaptea T^ibetanus^ Gould. It has been observed
chiefly in L.adak, is said to occur in small parties of nine or ten ;
and to have a loud cry yak, yak, yak. It has the upper parts and
breast minutely mottled with zig-zag markings, the throat and
sides of the neck ochre yeUow ; the wings sandy yellow with
some black markings on the scapulars ; and the lower parts white*
Length 20 inches ; wing 11 ; tail 7^.

We next come to the more typical GalHnacei, with the supple-
mentary plume well developed.

c

la GAME BIUDS OF INDIA.

Fam. PHASIANIDiE.

Bill moderate, strong, vaulted, the tip of the upper mandible
produced over that of the lower, sides more or less compressed ;
nostrils apart ; wings moderate or short, rounded ; tail (typically)
lengthened and broad, of from twelve to eighteen feathers ; tarsus
moderate or long, usually spurred in the males ; toes long, anterior
ones united by a short membrane at the base ; the hind
toe raised, short, sometimes resting on the ground by its
point.

This family, as here restricted^ comprises the Pea-fowls,
Pheasants, Jungle-fowl, and Spur-fowl, all of which are peculiar
to Asia, and more especially to India, including Burmah and
Malayana. Some include in this family the Turkeys of America,
but I prefer placing them as a distinct, it may be a subordinate
group. As distinguished from the next family, Tetraonidce, they
are characterized by a generally more lengthened bill, the nostrils
always apart, the face more nude, the head often furnished with
variously formed crests of feathers, or of nude skin, or with
lappets and wattles, in some cases of erectile tissue, the tail
typically is longer, and more commonly raised ; and the tarsus
perhaps more generally lengthened, and furnished with spurs.
In their habits they more habitually frequent forests, jungles,
and thick covert ; whilst the TetraonuliB more afiect open grass
ground, fields, and sometimes low jungle. Most of the Pheasants,
too, perch freely on trees, and roost habitually thereon,
this habit being the exception among the Grouse and
Partridges. On these grounds, as well as on that of different
geographical distribution, I prefer retaining the two families
distinct, in accordance with most Ornithologists, notwith-
standing the fact of certain genera of each family interbreeding
with each other.

The Indian Phasianidte may be popularly divided into Pea-fowl,
Pheasants, Jungle-fowl, and Spur-fowl ; and, although the limits
of each are somewhat vague, I shall give these groups the rank
of sub-families in accordance with some of our systematic Works
on Ornithology.

COMMON PEACOCK. 19

Sub-fam. PAVONiNiE, — Pea-fowl.

Syn. PavonidcB^ Bonap.

Plumage more or less ocellated. Inhabit India and Burmah
with Malayana, not • extending into the Himalayas.

Gen. Pavo, Linndeus.

C%ar.— Bill lengthened, slender ; the nareal portion large ; nos-
trils linear ; head ornamented with an erect crest of feathers of a
peculiar structure ; orbitar region naked ; tail moderately long,
of eighteen feathers ; feathers of the back and upper tail-coverts
of great length, long, surpassing the tail, and beautifully ocellated ;
tarsi rather long, spurred in the male.

The Peacock is too well known to require any remarks on his
general structure and appearance. But two species are known,
the one inhabiting India Proper, the other Assam, Burmah, and
parts of Malayana.

5, Pavo cristatus, Linnjsus.

PL cnl. 433, 434— Bltth, Cat. 1449— Jerdon, Cat. 265—
Sykes, Cat. 146 — Afor, Mlwr^ H. Beng. and Mahr. also Manjur^ H.
'^Nimili, Tel. — Myl^ Tarn. — Mab-ja, Bhot — Mong-yung^ Lepch.

The Common Peacock.

Descr. — Male, head, neck, and breast rich purple, with gold and
green reflections ; back green, the feathers scale-like, with cop-
pery edges ; the wings, with the inner-coverts, including the shoul-
der, white, striated with black ; the middle coverts deep blue ; the
primariea and tail chesnut ; abdomen and vent black, the train
chiefly green, beautifully ocellated ; the thigh coverts yellowish
grey ; head with a crest of about 24 feathers, only webbed at the
tip, and green with blue and gold reflections.

Bill horny brown ; naked orbits whitish ; irides dark brown ;
legs horny brown. Length to the end of the true tail 3^ to 4
feet; wing 18 inches; tail 24; the long train sometimes measures
4J feet and even more.

The Peahen is chesnut brown about the head and nape, the neck
greenish, edged with pale whity brown ; the upper plumage light
hair-brown, with faint wavings, increased on the upper tail-

20 GAME BIRDS OT INDIA.

coverts ; quills trown ; some of the wing-coverts mottled dusky
and whitish ; tail deep brown with whitish tips ; chin and throat
white ; breast as the neck ; abdomen white, with the lower parts
and under tail-coverts brown.

Length 38 to 40 inches ; wing 16 ; t«il 14. The crest is shorter
and duller in its tint than in the male.

The Pea-fowl is too well known to require a more ample des-
cription. It inhabits the whole of India Proper, being replaced in
Assam and the countries to the East by another species. It
frequents forests, and jungly places, more especially delighting
in hilly and mountainous districts ; and, in the more open and
level country, wooded ravines and river banks are the never
failing resort. It comes forth to the open glades and fields to
feed in the morning and evening, retiring to the jungles for
shelter during the heat of the day, and roosting at night on
liigh trees. It ascends the Neilgherry and other mountain re-
gions in SoutheAi India to 6,000 feet or so of elevation, but it does
not ascend the Himalayas, at all events in Sikim, beyond 2,000
feet. In many parts of the country it is almost domesticated,
entering villages and roosting on the huts, and it is venerated by
the natives in many districts. Many Hindoo temples have large
flocks of them ; indeed, shooting it is forbidden in some
Hindoo States. The Pea-fowl breeds, according to the locality
from April till October, generally in Southern India towards the
close of the rains, laying from 4 to 8 or 9 eggs in some sequestered
spot The Peacock during the courting season raises his tail
vertically, and with it of course the lengthened train, spreading it
out and strutting about to captivate the hen birds ; and he has
the power of clattering the feathers in a most curious manner.

It is a beautiful sight to come suddenly on twenty or thirty
Pea-fowl, the males displaying their gorgeous trains, and strutting
about in all the pomp of pride before the gratified females. The
train of course increases in length for many years at each successive
moult, but it appears to be shed very irregularly.

Though it cannot be said to be a favorite game with Sportsmen
in India, yet few can resist a shot at a fine Peacock whirring past

ARGUS PHEASANT. 21

when hunting for small game; yet Pea-chicks are ^ell worth
a morning's shikar for the table, and a plump young Peahen if
kept for two or three days, is really excellent. An old Peacock is
only fit to make soup of. A bird merely winged will often escape
by the fleetness of its running. They generally roost on particular
trees, and by going early or late to this place, they can readily be
shot. Pea-fowl are easily caught in snares, common hair-nooses,
and are generally brought in alive, for sale in numbers, in those
districts where they abound. In confinement they will destroy
snakes and other reptiles, and in^ their wild state feed much on
various insects and grubs, also on fiower buds and young shoots^
as well as on grain.

The Burmese Pea-fowl, Pavo muticusy Linnaeus, {P. assamicus^
McLelland,) notwithstanding the Linna^an name, has spurs ; its crest
is quite different in structure from that &f cristatus^ being composed
of about ten or more slender barbed feathers. Though not so showy
as the common Peacock, it is, perhaps, a still more beautiful bird,
having more green and gold and less blue in its plumage. It is
found in all the countries to the Eastwards, from Assam southwards
through Burmah to Malacca, and many of the Islands. Hybrids
between the two species are not rare in Aviaries.

Near the Pea-fowl should be placed the genus Polyphciron or
Pea-pheasants, often called Argus Pheasants. The males arc very
beautifully adorned with green or pink ocelli over the body,
wings, apd tail, which consists of sixteen feathers. The tarsi
are armed with two or even three spurs in the male. They
are peculiar to the Indo-Chinese countries, and Malay ana, one
species Polyplectron tibetanum^ {chinqnisy Temminck, PL col.
539), occurring in the hilly regions of upper Assam, Sylhet,
Tipperahand Chittagong, extending through Burmah to Tenasserim.
The female is P. lineatum Agnized in Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool.
Another species, P. bcalcaratum^ L., is found in Malacca,
Sumatra, &c. ; and a very beautiful species, P. napoleonis, Massena,
{einphanum^ Temm.) is probably from Borneo. A fourth species
without spots, P. chalctirus T., has been separated by Bonaparte as
Chalcnnis. It appears to me that Perdu concenirica of Gray, in

i2 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Hardwicke*s 111. Ind, Zool., is a bad figure of some female
Polypleclron.

With Bonaparte I would class heie^ rather than with the
Pheasants, the real Argus Pheasant, Argusanus giganietis,
'J'emra., {Pavo argus,) L., of the Malay Peninsula as far north as
Alergui^ Sumatra, and some of the Islands. The race from
Borneo is stated to differ somewhat. In this magnificent bird
the secondary quilb are longer than the primaries, and all beauti-
fully covered, as well as the tail, with fine ocelli. The tail consists
of only twelve feathers. It does not occur in Sylhet as stated by
Hardwicke in his MSS. in the British Museum.

Sub-fam. Phasianin^, Pheasants.

Tail typically long, with the central feathers sometimes of great
length ; plumage rarely ocellatcd ; tail in most of eighteen
feathers ; head more or less crested.

Among the Pheasants, I include the Monaul, the Homed
Pheasants, the Pucras, the true Pheasants, the Gold and Silver
Pheasants, the Snow Pheasants, the Blood Pheasants, and
the Kalij Pheasants, which last form the link to the next
group, the Jungle-fowl and Fire-backs. These are all
inhabitants of the highlands of Central Asia, the Himalayas
and China, and do not (with the exception of one member
of the Kalij group) extend into the Burmese province, and not
at all into Malayana.

I shall commence the series with the Monaul, which, by the
form of its crest and its rich metallic colours, approaches nearest
to the Peacocks.

Gen. LoPHOPHOBUS, Temminck.

Syn. MonauluSf Vieillot — Impet/annsy Lesson*

Char. — Head with a Peacock-like crest of several feathers, bare
on the shaft, feathered and lanceolate at the tip only ; orbits
bare ; bill somewhat lengthened, the tip projecting and hooked ;
tarsus of the male with one rather short spur; taU short, nearly-
even, or slightly rounded, of sixteen feathers.

MONAUL PHEASANT. 23

Plumage ricli metallic green and gold, with a rufous tail.

This genus consists of but one species, the most gorgeous
perhaps of the family, whose colors and metallic brilliancy rival
those of the Humming-birds.

6. Lophophorns ImpesranuSi Latham.

Phasiahus, apud Latham — Blyth, Cat. 1477 — L. refulgens,
Temm. — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 60 and 61 — Gould,
Birds of Asia, pt. 11. pi. 7 — Monal, Ghur Mortal^ RuUial — Rat-
Jcapy Rattea-kowan, in various dialects in tlie N. W. Himalayas.
Lant (the male), Ham (the female) in Cashmere — Murgh-i-zari or
the Golden Fowl of some — Phodong-pho, Lepch. — Chamdong, Bhot.

The Monaul Pheasant.

Deacr, — Male, head with the crest and throat bright metallic
green ; back of the neck brilliant iridescent purple, passing into
bronzy green, and all with a golden gloss ; upper part of the
back and wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts, richly glossed
with purple and green, the latter colour prevailing on the wings and
furthest tail-coverts, and the purple on the back and rump ; middle
of the back white ; quills black ; tail cinnamon rufous ; the whole
lower surface black, glossed on the throat with green and purple,
dull and nnglossed elsewhere.

Bill dark horny ; naked orbits blue ; irides brown ; legs dull
ashy green. Length 27 to 29 inches; extent 36; wing 11^ to
12 ; tail 8^ ; tarsus 2| ; middle toe and claw 3. Weight 4^ lbs.

The female has the chin and throat white ; the whole of. the
rest of the body pale buffy brown, with dark brown spots, bars,
and undulations ; the primaries^ blackish, the secondary quills
barred black and rufous ; tip of the tail and outer edges of the
last tail- coverts whitish.

Length about 24 inches ; wing 11 ; tail 7^*

The young males for the first year nearly resemble the females,
but may easily be distinguished by the white feathers on the chin
and throat being spotted with black ; the vent feathers are also
marked with the same, and the whole plumage is darker. When
changing their plumage to the adult, they appear spotted all over

24 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

with glossy metallic green. In the second year, tliey are stated to
assume the adult plumage, with the curious exception, according
to Mountaineer, of the 7th primary which retains the brown for
another year.

This splendid Pheasant is found throughout the whole extent
of the Ilimalayas, from the hills bordering Afghanistan as far east
as Sikim, and probably also to Bootan. It occurs from a level of
6,000 or 7,000 feet in winter, to the limits of the wooded regions,
and is most numerous at high altitudes, and in the interior of the
hills. In Sikim it is not found at a lower level than 10,000
feet, and has not been found in Biitish territory, but in the in-
terior, at high elevations, it is not very rare, though apparently
not so common as in the N. W. Himalayas. For an admirable
and full account of its habits, I take the liberty of transcribing
a great portion of Mountaineer's remarks in the Bengal Sporting
Review^ New Series, vol.

** The Monaul is found on almost every hill of any elevation, from
the first great ridge above the plains to the limits of the wooded
district, and in the interior it is the most numerous of the game birds.
When the hills near Mussooree were first visited by Euro-
peans, it was found to be common there, and a few may still be
seen on the same ridge eastwards from Landour. In summer,
when the rank, vegetation which springs up in the forest renders it
impossible to see many yards around, few are to be met with,
except near the summits of the great ridges jutting from the snow,
where in the morning and evening, when they come out to feed,
they may be seen in the open glades of the forest and on the
green slopes above. At that time no one would imagine they were
half so numerous as they really are*; but as the cold season ap-
preaches, and the rank grass and herbage decay, they begin
to collect together, the wood seems full of them, and in some
places hundreds may be put up in a day's work. In summer
the greater number of the males and some of the females
ascend to near the limits of the forests where the hills attain a
great elevation, and may often be seen on the grassy slopes a
considerable distance above. In autumn they resort to those
parts of the forests where the ground is thickly covered with

MONAUL PHEASANT. 25

•

decayed leaves, under which they search for grubs ; and descend
lower and lower as winter sets in, and the ground becomes frozen
or covered with snow. If the season be severe^ and the ground
covered to a great depth, they collect in the woods, which face to
the south or east, where it soon melts in the more exposed parts,
or descend much lower down the hill, where it is not so deep, and
thaws sufficiently to allow them to lay bare the earth under the
bushes and sheltered places. Many, particularly females and
young birds, resort to the neighbourhood of the villages situated
up in the woods, and may often be seen in numbers in the fields.
Still in the severest weather, when fall after fall has covered the
ground to a great depth in the higher forests, many remain there
the whole winter ; these are almost all males and probably old
birds. In spring, all in the lower parts, gradually ascend as the
snow disappears.

^' In the autumnal and winter months, numbers are generally
collected together in the same quarter of the forest, though often
so widely scattered that each bird appears to be alone. Sometimes
you may walk for a mile through a wood without seeing one, and
suddenly come to some part, where, within the compass of a
few hundred yards, upwards of a score will get up in succession ;
at another time, or in another forest, they will be found dispersed
over every part, one getting up here, another there, two or three
further on, and so on for miles. The females keep more together
than the males ; they also descend lower down the hills, and
earlier and more generally leave the sheltered woods for ex-
posed parts or the vicinity of the villages on the approach of
winter. Both sexes are often found separately in considerable
numbers. On the lower part, or exposed side of the hill, scores of
females and young birds may be met with, without a single old
male ; while higher up, or on the sheltered side, none but males
may be found. In summer they are more separated, but do not keep
in individual pairs, several being often found together. It may be
questioned whether they do pair or not in places where they are at
all numerous ; if they do, it would appear that the union is dissolved
as soon as the female begins to sit, for the male seems to pay
no attention whatever to her whilst sitting, or to the young brood

d

26 GAME BIBDS OF INDIA.

when hatched, and is seldom found with them. The call of the
Monaul is a loud plaintive whistle, which is often heard in the
forest at daybreak or towards evening, and occasionally at all
hours of the day. In severe weather, numbers may be heard call-
ing in different quarters of the wood before they retire to roost.
The call has a rather melancholy sound, or it may be^ that as the
shades of a dreary winter's evening begin to close on the snow-
covered hills around, the cold and cheerless aspect of nature, with
which it seems quite in unison, makes it appear so.

" From April to the commencement of the cold season, the
Monaul is rather wild and shy, but this soon gives way to the
all-taming influence of winter's frosts and snows ; and from October
it gradually becomes less so, till it may be said to be quite the
x.everse ; but as it is often found in places nearly free from under-
wood, and never attempts to escape observation by concealing
itself in the grass or bushes, it is perhaps sooner alarmed, and
at a greater distance than other Pheasants, and may therefore
appear at all times a little wild and timid. In spring, it often
rises a long way in front, and it is difficult to get near it when
it again alights, if it does not at once fly too far to follow ; but in
winter, it may often be approached within gunshot on the ground,
and when flushed it generally alights on a tree at no great distance,
and you may then walk quite close to it before it again takes
wing.

" In the forest, when alarmed, it generally rises at once without
calling or running far on the ground ; but on the open glades or
grassy slopes, or any place to which it comes only to feed, it will,
if not hard pressed, run or walk slowly away in preference to
getting up ; and a distant bird, when alarmed by the rising of
others, will occasionally begin and continue calling for some time
while on the ground. It gets up with a loud fluttering and a
rapid succession of shrill screeching whistles, often continued
till it alights, when it occasionally commences its ordinary
loud and plaintive call, and continues it for some time.
In winter, when one or two birds have been flushed, all within
hearing soon get alarmed; if they are collected together, they
get up in rapid succession 3 if distantly scattered, bird after bird

MONAUL PHEASANT. 27

slowly gets up ; the shrill call of each as it rises alarming others
still further ofT, till all in the immediate neighbourhood have
risen. In the chesnut forests where they are often collected in
numerous bodies, where ther^ is little underwood, and the trees,
thinly dispersed and entirely stripped of their leaves, allow of
an extensive view through the wood, I have often stood till twenty
or thirty have got up and alighted on the surrounding trees, then
walked up to the different trees, and fired at those I wished to
procure, without alarming them, only those close being disturbed
at each report In spring they are more independent of each
other's movements, and though much wilder, are more apt to wait
till individually disturbed. When they alight in the trees, and are
again flushed, the second flight is always a longer one. When re-
peatedly disturbed by the sportsmen or shikaries, they often take a
long flight in the first instance. The seasons also have great influence
over them in this respect, as well as in their degree of tameness or
wildness. In spring, when the snow has melted in every part of
the forest, and they have little difficulty in procuring an abun-
dance of food, they appear careless about being driven from any
particular spot, and often fly a long way ; but in winter, when a
sufficiency of food is not easily obtained, they seem more intent
on satisfying their hunger, and do not so much heed the appear-
ance of man. The females appear at all times much tamer than
the males. The latter have one peculiarity, not common in birds
of this order : if intent on making a long flight, an old male
after flying a short way, will often cease flapping his wings,
and soar along with a trembling vibratory motion at a considerable
height in the air, when, particularly if the sun be shining on his
brilliant plumage, he appears to great advantage, and certainly
looks one of the most magnificent of the Pheasant tribe.

" In autumn, the Monaul feeds chiefly on a grub or maggot which
it finds under the decayed leaves ; at other times on roots, leaves,
and young shoots of various shrubs and grasses, acorns and other
seeds and berries. In winter, it often feeds in the wheat and barley
fields, but does not touch the grain ; roots and maggots seem to be
its sole inducement for digging amongst it. At all times and in all
seasons, it is very assiduous in the operation of digging, and con-

28 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

tiniies at it for hours together. In the higher forests, large open
plots occur quite free from trees or underwood, and early in the
morning or towards evening, these may often be seen dotted over
with Monauls, all busily engaged at^their favourite occupation.

^' The Monaul roosts in the larger forest trees, but in summer
when near or above their 'limits, will often roost on the ground
in some steep rocky spot. The female makes her ilest under a
small overhanging bush or tuft of grass, and lays five eggs of a
dull white, speckled with reddish brown ; the chicks are hatched
about the end of May. The flesh is considered by some as
nearly equal to Turkey, and by others as scarcely eatable. In
autumn and winter, many, particularly females and young birds
are excellent, and scarcely to be surpassed in flavour or delicacy
by any of the tribe ; while from the end of winter most are found to
be the reverse. They are easily kept in confinement, and I would
imagine, might, without much difficulty, be naturalized in Europe."

The Monaul has lately bred in the Zoological Gardens of London,
as well as, some years previously, in those of the Earl of Derby.
The latter, in a communication to Mr. Gould, stated that one
female laid thirteen or fourteen eggs on one occasion ; and that the
eggs were very pale buff, with small spots of reddish brown, very
like those of the Capercailzie. They were figured in Jardine's
tributions to Ornithology for 1850.

Near the Monaul perhaps should be placed the Snow-pheasants,
CrossoptiloTif with two species, C. auritum, Pallas, and (7. tibetanum^
Hodgson. These beautiful birds are white, with the tail glossy
blue green, and are both from the highlands of Central Asia.
Gray, in his List of Genera, places them between Pucrasia and
Gallophaaisy but Bonaparte places them together in his section
LophophoretB of his LophophorincB.

Next come the Horned-pheasants of the Himalayas and Central
Asia*

Gen. Cebiobnis, Swainson.

Syn. Tragopan, Cuvier — Satyi^a^ Lesson — Ceratomis^ Cabanis.

Char, — Bill rather short, head with two small erectile fleshy

processes (horns) terminating the naked orbits ; crown of the head

SIKIM HORNED PHEASANT. 29

crested ; throat with a naked expansile gular wattle ; tail shorty
broad^ of eighteen feathers ; tarsi short, robust. Plumage of the
male more or less red, with numerous white spots.

These are birds of rather large size and heavy form, with short
tails, found only in the higher regions of the Himalayas and Central
Asia. The type was described originally by Linnssus as a Turkey,
from the naked wattles on the head and throat ; and Gould considers
it to have considerable affinity for that genus, together with
some characters that indicate a relationship to Namida^ and even
to Francolinus {GaUoperdiw ?). Gray places them among the Jungle-
fowl ; but from their geographical distribution, I prefer keeping
them among the Pheasants. Four species are now known, two of
which are peculiar to the Himalayas, and two to the Thibetan side
of that range. They are popularly called Argus Pheasants by
Sportsmen.

7. Geriomis satyra, Linnaeus.

Meleagris, apud LiNN-ffiUS — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds., pi. 62 —
Blyth, Cat. 1453 — Satyra Lathami, and S. Pennantu, Gray,
Hardwickb, 111. Ind. Zool., pi. 49 and 51 — S. cornuta, Gray-^
Tirriak'phoy Lepch. — Bup, Bhot. — Dq^y Beng. — * Monaul* popu-
larly by Europeans at Daijeeling, or Argus Pheasant.

The Sikim Horned Pheasant.

Descr. — ^Forehead, nape, and sides bordering the nude parts,
black ; crest formed of slender hair-like feathers, black in front,
red behind; back, rump, wings, and upper tail- coverts brown,
finely barred with black, with a white ocellus, which on the wing-
coverts and the sides of the rump are inserted on a maronne red
spot at the tip of each feather ; quills dark brown, with dark
rufous bands and bars ; shoulders of wings bright fiery red,
imspotted ; the sides of the upper tail-coverts olive fulvous, with
black tips ; tail black, with numerous narrow dark rufous bars,
more marked at the base and on the sides ; sides and back of
neck, breast, and all the lower parts, fine rich crimson red, with
white spots mostly edged with deep black.

Bill brown ; orbits, erectile horns, and neck and throat, fine
blue, here and there spotted with orange ; the skin of the throat

30 GAMB BIRDS OF INDIA.

loose at the sides, dilatable, wrinkled, and with a few scattered
hairs ; when excited of a deeper blue with crimson bars ; irides
deep brown ; legs yellowish brown. Length about 27 inches ;
wing 11 ; tail 11 ; tarsus 3;^ ; weight about 4^ tbs.

The female is brown throughout with dark mottlings, and with
some faint white lines on the upper back, and wing-coverts, being
the representative of the white ocelli of the male ; quills ches-
nut banded with dusky ; chin albescent ; beneath, the white lines
increase in size from the breast, and are large on the belly and
vent.

Length about 24 inches ; wing 10 ; tail 10. Young males re-
semble females ; and when in a state of change, have red spots
on the neck, wings and lower parts. In winter, after the breeding
season is over, the naked parts about the head and neck diminish
in size, or almost disappear.

This species of Horned-pheasant is found in the Nepal and
Sikim Himalayas, and was the first species known to naturalists.
It appears to be very abundant in Nepal, and it is not rare in
Sikim at considerable elevations. I have seen it at about 9,000
feet in spring, and in winter it descends to between 7,000 and
8,000 feet in the vicinity of Darjeeling, and perhaps lower in
the interior. It is frequently snared by the Bhoteeas and other
Hill-men, and brought alive for sale to Darjeeling. Its call, which
I have heard in spring, is a low deep, bellowing cry, sounding like
waa-unffy toaa-unff. Its general habits are no doubt similar to
those of the next species which have been more accurately
observed.

8. Geriornis melanocephala, Gray.

Satyra apud Gray— Bltth, Cat. 1452— Tragopan Hastingii,
ViGK)RS — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 63,64,65 — Phas. nipalensis,
Gray (the female) — Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. 1. pi. 46,47,48
and 2 pi. 40 — Jewar^ or Jowar, Jowahir, Jwyr, as variously written,
in the N. W. Himalayas, Jahffi at Simla — Lungij in Kumaon
— Sinff monalji. e. the Homed Monaul, — ^ Argus Pheasant of
Europeans at Simla and elsewhere.

simla horned phkasant. 31

The Simla Horned Pheasant.

2)e.5(?r,— Male, head black, the crest tipped with red ; nape, back,
and sides of neck, dark-red ; back and upper parts dark brown,
minutely barred irregularly with black, each feather with a round
white spot on a deep black ground ; shoulder of wing dark red ;
quills blackish, with brown mottlings and bars, and some dusky olive
spots on some of the wing-coverts; tertiaries mottled like the back,
and with the scapulars, having a large white spot ; upper tail-
coverts lengtliened, the lateral feathers with a large fulvous tip edged
dull black, and white spotted ; tail black, unspotted towards the tip,
but barred with whity brown for the greajpr part of its length ;
beneath, the throat and neck below the wattle are vivid scarlet,
passing into flame colour and yellow on the lower part of the neck
these feathers being of a hard, firm, and somewhat horny texture •
the breast and lower parts black, dashed with dull red, and each
feather with a round white spot ; the thigh-coverts mottled black
and brown, paler and yellowish near the joint.

Bill blackish ; irides hazel brown ; naked orbits bright red, two
fleshy horns pale blue ; the gular wattle purple in the middle,
spotted and edged with pale blue, and fleshy on the sides ; legs and
feet fleshy. Length 27 to 29 inches ; extent 37 ; wing 11^ ; taif
lOi to 1 1 ; tarsus 3 ; wei«iht 4 J lbs.

The female has the head and all the upper parts mottled with
dark and light brown and blackish, with small pointed streaks of
pale yellow ; quills and tail dark brown, minutely mottled and
barred ; the lower parts light ashy brown, very minutely pow-
dered with blackish, and marked with irregular spots of white,
very strongly so on the breast, less so on the abdomen, and be-
coming more ashy. The horns and fleshy wattles also are absent.
Length about 24 inches ; extent 32 ; wing 10 ; tail 9 ; legs and
feet greyish ashy.

The young male is at first colored like the female ; in the
second year the head and neck become red, and the white spots
appear ; and in the third year, he gets the full plumage. In Hard-
wicke's Illustrations there is the figure of a young male in the second
year called Phas. melanocephalus^ female ; and in Gould's Century,

82 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

pi. 64 what is there called the young male appears rather to be a
cock bird in winter plumage, with the wattles not developed, and
the horns shrivelled up ; for Mountaineer tells us that ' the flap of
skin and the horns are either cast or shrink up every year in
moulting, and do not attain any size again till the ensuing spring.'
In this figure, too, the red tip of the crest is very apparent,
whilst in the figure of the so called adult male it is totally
absent.

This very handsome Horned-pheasant is found from the
Western borders of Nepal to the extreme Nortli-West Himalayas.
It is stated not to be a very common bird about Simla and
Mussooree, but more abundant near Almora. ^^Its usual haunts" says
Mountaineer, " are high up, not far from the snows, in dense and
gloomy forests, either alone, or in small scattered parties. In winter
they descend the hills, and then their favorite haunts are in the
thickest parts of the forests of Oak, Chesnut, and Morenda Pine,
where the box-tree is abundant, and where under the forest trees a
luxuriant growth of ^EingalU or the hill Bamboo forms an underwood
in some places almost impenetrable. They keep in companies of
from two or three to ten or a dozen or more, not in compact flocks,
but scattered widely over a considerable space of forest, so that
many at times get quite separated, and are found alone." If un-
disturbed, however, they generally remain pretty close together,
and appear to return year after year to tlie same spot, even though
the ground be covered with snow, for they find their living then
on the trees. If driven away from the forest by an unusually
severe storm, or any other cause, they may be found at this season
in small clumps of wood, wooded ravines, patches of low brush-
wood, &c.

'^ At this season, except its note of alarm, when disturbed, the
Jewar is altogether mute, and is never heard of its own accord
to utter a note or call of any kind ; unlike the rest of our Phea-
sants, all of which occasionally crow or call at all seasons. When
alarmed it utters a succession of wailing cries, not unlike those
of a young lamb or kid, like the syllable *^ tpoa, waa^ tcaa," each
syllable uttered slowly and distinctly at first, and more rapidly
as the bird is hard pressed or about to take wing. Where not

SIMLA HOBNED PHEASANT. 33

repeatedly distarbed, it is not particularly shy, and seldom takes
alarm till a person is in its immediate ' vicinity, when it creeps
slowly through the underwood, or flies up into a tree ; in the
former case continuing its call till again stationary, and in the
latter, till it has concealed itself in the branches. If several are
together, all begin to call at once, and run off in different direc-
tions, some mounting into the trees, others running along the
ground. When first put up, they often alight in one of the nearest
trees, but if again flushed, the second flight is generally to some
distance, and almost always down hill. Their flight is rapid, the
whir peculiar, and even when the bird is not seen, may be dis-
tinguished by the sound from that of any other. Where their
haunts are often visited either by the sportsmen or the villagers,
they are more wary, and if such visits axfi of regular occurrence
and continued for any length of time, they become so in a very
high degree — so much so, that it is impossible to conceive a forest
bird more shy or cunning. They then as soon as aware of the
presence of any one in the forest, after calling once or twice, or
without (Joing so at all, fly up into the trees, which near their
haunts are almost all evergreens of the densest foliage, and conceal
themselves so artfully in the tangled leaves and branches that
unless one has been seen to fly into a particular tree, and it has
been well marked down, it is almost impossible to find them.

^* In spring, as the snow begins to melt on the higher parts of the
hill, they leave entirely their winter resorts, and gradually separate,
and spread themselves through the more remote and distant woods
up to the region of birch and white rhododendron, and almost
to the extreme limits of forest. Early in April, they begin to
pair, and the males are then more generally met with than at any
other period ; they seem to wander about a great deal, are almost
always found alone, and often call at intervals all day long.
When thus calling, the bird is generally perched on the thick
branch of a tree, or the trunk of one which has fallen to the
ground, or on a large stone. The call is similar to the one they
utter when disturbed, but is much louder, and only one single note
at a time, a loud energetic *' waa" not unlike the bleating of a
lost goat, and can be heard for upwards of a mile. It is uttered at

34 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

various intervals, sometimes every five or ten minutes for hours to-
gether, and sometimes not more than two or three times during the
day, and most probably to invite the females to the spot When the
business of incubation is over, each brood with the parent birds
keep collected together about one spot, and descend towards their
winter resorts as the season advances ; but the forests are so dense-
ly crowded with long weeds and grass, they are seldom seen till
about November, when it has partially decayed, and admits of a
view through the wood.

''It feeds chiefly on the leaves of trees and shrubs ; of the former
the box and oak are the principal ones, of the latter, rinffall and
a shrub something like privet It also eats roots, flowers, grubs,
and insects, acorns and seeds, and berries of various kinds, but in
a small proportion comp^ed with leaves. In confinement it will
cat almost any kind of grain. Though the most solitary of our
Pheasants, and in its native forests perhaps the shyest, it is the
most easily reconciled to confinement; even when caught old
they soon lose their timidity, eating readily out of the hand,
and little difficulty is experienced in rearing them.

The Jewar roosts in trees, and in winter, perhaps for
warmth, seems to prefer the low evergreens with closely interwoven
leaves and branches to the latter and larger which overshadow
them."

Other species of Ceriomis are C. Temminchii^ Gray, from China,
figured Hardwicke's IlL Ind. ZooL ; and (7. Caboti^ Gould, also
from some part of China, figured by Gould, Birds of Asia, pt X.,
pi. 1.

Near tliese Pheasants I would place that somewhat anomalous
form, the Blood-pheasant, founded on a single known species. It
has more the habit, perhaps, of a Jungle-fowl than of a Pheasant,
but from its geographical relations with the Pheasants, only being
found at high elevations on the Himalayas, I prefer considering it
a peculiar form of Hill-pheasant, and it certainly has some
affinities for the Pucras-pheasants. From its small size and
numerous spurs, it may be considered as holding the same relation*
ship to the Pheasants, as Polypectron does to Pea-fowl, or as
Spur>fowl do to Jungle-fowl. It may be considered a sort of

GREEN BLOOD-PHEASANT. 35

link between the Pheasants and Partridges, but I cannot agree with
Gray in placing it among the Partridges.

Gen. Ithaginis, Wagler.

Char, — Bill short, stout ; tail rather short, of fourteen feathers ;
tarsus of the male with several spurs ; featliers of the neck some-
what elongated ; head sub*crested. Of rather small size.

The pale grass-green color of the lower plumage of this remark-
able bird^ and the blood red stains are quite unique.

9. Ithaginis craentuSi Habdwicke.

Phasianus, apud Hardwicke, Lin. Trans. XIII. 237— Blyth,
Cat. 1455 — P. Gardneri, Hardwicke (the female) — Gould, Birds
of Asia, pt. III. pi. S^-^Soomong-phoj Lepch. SemOy Bhot

The Green Blood-pheasant.

Descr. — Male, with the forehead, lores, and cheeks, black ; crown
of the head buff; crest dull grey, with a streak of buff down the
centre of each feather; back of the neck and upper surface
generally dark grey, with a narrow stripe of buffy white bounded
on either side with a stripe of black, down the centre of each
feather, the stripes becoming larger and more conspicuous as they
proceed backwards, and with a tinge of green on those occupying
the lower part of the back and the centre of the greater wing-
coTerts ; tail grey, fading into greyish white at the tip, the shafts
white, and the basal three-fourths of the feathers broadly margined
with blood red ; beneath, the throat is blood red ; the ear- coverts
black, striated with buffy white, the lower part of the throat
brownish black, with a stripe of greenish buff down each feather ;
sides of the neck buff ; breast, sides of the abdomen, and flanks
very pale green, with light shafts, and the feathers of the breast
with a blotch of deep blood-red near the centre of either margin,
giving the part the appearance of being stained with blood ; middle
of the abdomen, thighs and vent, dark brownish grey, striped
with greenish white bounded by black; under tail-coverts deep
blood-red, with a narrow line of pale yellow ending in a
spatulate form at the tip, down the centre of each feather.

36 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Bill brownish black at the tip, red at the base ; orbits bright red ;
iridcs brown; legs and feet coral red. Length 16 to 17 inches;
wing 8i ; tail 6^ ; tarsus 2}, with three, four or five short
spurs.

The female has the forehead, cheeks and chin, bright rusty
yellow; the upper parts ferruginous brown, mottled very finely
with blackish; the first primaries plain dark brown; the others
and the tail dark brown, freckled like the back ; lower parts some-
what brighter ferruginous brown than above ; the under tail-coverts
and vent mottled with brown.

This beautiful bird has only hitherto been found in the South-
east Himalayas, in Nepal and Sikim, and apparently not common
in the former country. It appears more abundant in Sikim, in
the interior, for it is not found in British Sikim, and probably
extends into the Bootan Himalayas. The following remarks are by
Dr. Hooker, who had the opportunity of observing it in Sikim.

•* This, the boldest of the Alpine birds of its kind, frequents the
mountain ranges of Eastern Nepal and Sikim, at an elevation
varying from 10,000 to 14,000 feet, and is very abundant in many
of the valleys among the forests of Pine, {Abies Webbiana) and
Juniper. It seldom or ever crows, but emits a weak cackling
noise. When put up, it takes a very short flight and then runs to
shelter. During winter it appears to burrow under or in holes
amongst the snow, for I have snared it in January in regions
thickly covered with snow at an altitude of 12,000 feet. I have
seen the young in May. The principal food of the bird consisting
of the tops of the Pine and Juniper in spring, and the berries of
the latter in autumn and winter, its flesh has always a very strong
flavour, and is moreover uncommonly tough ; it was, however,
the only bird I obtained at those great elevations in tolerable
abundance for food, and that not very frequently. The Bhoteas
say that it acquires an additional spur every year ; certain it is
that they are more numerous than in any other bird, and that they
are not alike on both legs. I could not discover the cause of
this difference, neither could 1 learn if they were produced at
different times. I believe that five on one leg, and four on the
other, is the greatest number I have observed.'*

PUKUAS PHEASANT. 37

Near the Horned-pheasants and perhaps linking them to the
true Pheasants, I would place the Pucras or Koklas Pheasants,
and Bonaparte includes them both in his section Satyrecs of his
LophophorincB.

Gen. PuORASiA, Gray.

Syn. Eulophus, Lesson — Lophotetrax^ Cabanis.

Char. — Bill short ; head adorned with a double crest, a sincipital
tuft on each side^ and a central drooping crest ; tarsi with a
moderately large spur ; toes and claws lengthened and slender ;
tail moderately lengthened, graduated, of sixteen feathers. Plu-
mage throughout somewhat lanceolate and cock-like.

This form may be said to be a sort of link between the Horned-
pheasants and the true Pheasants. It has the crest of Phaaianusy
the hackled plumage of the Jungle-fowl, and in some points
appears related to the last genus Ithaginis. The best known
species has been described under Tragopan by Temminck ; and
one writer states his belief that it leads the way from Pheasants to
the Lophophori. It is confined to the Himalayas and adjacent
highlands. Gould in his Birds of Asia describes and figures three
species.

10. Pucrasia macrolopha, Lesson.

Satyra, apud Lesson — Blyth, Cat. 1472 — Gould, Cent. Him.
Birds, pi. 69, 70 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VI. pL 4— P. nipal-
ensis, GouLo, /. c, pL 6 ? — Haudwicke 111. Ind. Zool. pi. 40 —
P. pucrasia, Vigors— Tragopan Duvaucelii, Temminck — Plas —
jPukra9 — Koklas or Kohla^ in various hill dialects.

The Pukras Pheasant.
Descr, — Male, with the head glossy dark green, the crown being
ashy brown ; medial crest, with the upper feathers, ashy brown ;
the lateral featheis dark green fully 4 inches ; on each side of the
neck a large white oblong spot; body above light ashy, each
feather with a long pointed streak of black, and the wing-coverts
with some blackish blotches ; upper tail-coverts long, light ashy ;
tail brownish chesnut, black at the tip, and faintly edged with
whitish ; beneath, the breast and middle of the belly rich deep
chesnut, ashy on the ilanks ; vent chesnut, the feathers white tipt.

38 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Bill black; irldes dark brown ; legs and feet' ashy. Length 24
inches; extent 30; wing 10; tail 12; tarsus 2^.

The female has the upper plumage pale yellow-brown, variously
variegated and banded with dark brown, chesnut, and pale
yellowish ; chin and throat yellowish-white ; lower plumage
ycUow-chesnut, with dark brown markings, paler down the middle
of the abdomen, and darker on the flanks.

Length 20 inches ; extent 28.

This very handsome Pheasant has only been found in the N. W.
Himalayas, from the west of Nepal to beyond Simla. It does not
occur in Sikim, nor in Eastern Nepal Gould has figured another
supposed- new species as P. nipalensi^ stating that it is smaller
and more beautifully colored, the mantle, sides of the neck, and
feathers of the flank being conspicuously striated with black,
chesnut and grey, whilst the same parts are sombre in the other
species. The figures of the two resemble each other so very
closely that I cannot help doubting their being really distinct. It
would appear that nipalenais extends into the Bootan Himalayas,
but it has certainly not hitherto been sent from the intervening
Sikim hills.

For an account of the habits of the Pukras, I again quote from
Mountaineer.

*"*• This is another forest Pheasant common to the whole of the
wooded regions, from an elevation of about 4,000 feet, to nearly
the extreme limits of forest, but is most abundant in the lower
and intermediate ranges. In the lower regions its favorite haunts
are in wooded ravines, but it is found on nearly all hill sides
which are covered with trees or bushes, from the summit of the
ridges to about half way down. Further, in the interior, it is found
scattered in all parts, from near the foot of the hills, to the top or as
far as the forest reaches, seeming most partial to the deep sloping
forest composed of Oak, Chesnut, and Morenda Pine, with Box, Yew,
and other trees intermingled, and a thick underwood of Ringall.

" The Cocklass is of a rather retired and solitary disposition.
It is generally found singly or in pairs ; and except the brood of
young birds which keep pretty well collected till near the end of
winter, they seldom congregate much together. Where numerous,

PUKRAS PHEASANT. 39

several are often put up at no great distance from each other, as
if they were members of one lot ; but when more thinly scattered,
it is seldom more than two old birds are found together ; and at
whatever season, when one is found, its mate may almost to a
certainty be found somewhere near. This would lead one to
imagine that many pairs do not separate after the business of
incubation is over^ but keep paired for several successive years.
In forests where there is little grass or underwood, they get up
as soon as aware of the approach of any one near, or run quickly
along the ground to some distance ; but where there is much cover,
they lie very close, and will not get up till forced by dogs or
beaters. When put up by dogs, they often fly up into a tree close
by, which they rarely do when flushed by beaters or the sportsman
himself, then flying a lung way and generally alighting on the
groun'd. Their flight is rapid in the extreme, and after a few
whirs, they sometimes shoot down like lightning. They sometimes
utter a few low chuckles before getting up, and rise sometimes
with a low screeching chatter and sometimes silently. The males
often crow at daybreak, and occasionally at all hours. In the
remote forest of the interior, on the report of a gun, all which
are within half a mile or so, will often crow after each report.
They also often crow after a clap of thunder or any loud and
sudden noise ; this peculiarity seems to be confined to those in
dark shady woods in the interior, as I never noticed it on the
lower hills.

*' The Cocklass feeds principally on leaves and buds ; it also eats
roots, grubs, acorns, seeds and berries, and moss and flowers. It
will not readily eat grain ; and is more difficult to rear in confine-
ment than the Jewar or Moonall. It roosts in trees generally,
but at times on low bushes or on the ground. The female lays
seven eggs nearly resembling those of the Moonall in colour ;
they are hatched about the middle or end of May. She mukes
her nest under the shelter of an overhanging tuft of grass, or
in a corner at the foot of a tree, and sometimes in the hollow of
a dec4iyed trunk."

PuCEASiA CASTANEA, Gould, figured Birds of Asia, pt YI.j pi.
5, from the highlands adjoining the N. W. termination of the

40 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Himalayas, may perhaps occur within our limits in Cashmere,
and the Punjab Himalayas, but has not, that I am aware of, been
actually recorded from any spot in our province.

The true Pheasants follow the Pukras group very closely.

Gen. Phasianus, Linnaeus (as restricted.)

(7Aar. — Tail elongated, cuneate, of eighteen feathers ; cheeks
naked, red ; tarsi spurred in the males.

'I'he true long-tailed Pheasants are found over all Central Asia,
one species only occurring as far south as the Himalayan mountains,
and none found in Burmah, nor in Malayana.

The type of the genus is the well known Phasianus colchicua,
L., an inhabitant of Western Asia, now naturalized throughout
great part of Europe.

The only Indian species differs somewhat in type of coloration
from the more typical members, and has been separated as Catreus
by Cabanis, but I shall not adopt the division.

11. Phasianus Wallichii, Hardwigee.

Lophophorus, apud Hardwicke— Blyth, Cat. 1473 — Gould,
Cent H. Birds, pi. 68— P. Stacei, Vigors — Chir, Clieor, Ban-
chilj and Herril^ in various parts of the Himalayas — Kahir in
Nepal.

The Cheer Pheasant.

Descr. — Male, head dark ashy, crested, with a few long hair-
like feathers ; neck light ashy, gradually becoming slightly barred
with dusky black ; shoulders and wing-coverts yellowish ash, with
curving bars of black ; and, in some birds, small shining golden
spots are mingled with the black curves on the shoidder ; primaries
dusky, partially barred with pale yellow ; back and rump light
reddish chesnut, barred with bluish-black ; tail much graduated,
the two long middle tail-feathers broadly barred with pale speckled
yellow and brownish olive, blotched and speckled with black ; the
others barred with pale yellow black and dark chesnut ; the throat
and breast yellowish-ashy, with a few curving bars of black ; belly
dusky ; thigh-coverts and vent yellowish chesnut, marked with
dusky.

\

CHEER PHEASANT. 41

Bill pale homy ; nude orbits bright red ; irides yellowish hazel ;
legs and feet brown. Length up to 46 inches, of which the tail is
28, but rarely so long; wing 10 ; extent 32. Weight 3^ lbs.

The female has the head, neck, and throat with large dusky oval
spots ; thi^ back is more minutely mottled, and the barring on the
wings more prominent ; the tail, which is much shorter, has the
brown mottlings bolder and more distinct ; the chin is plain ; and
the belly and vent are plain yellowish ashy. Length 32 inches ;
tail 16.

Young males are said to assume their own plumage at once.

This fine, though plain colored Pheasant is only found in the
N. W. Himalayas, extending into Nepal, where however not so
common as further West. '' It is/' says Mountaineer, '' an inhabitant
of the lower and intermediate ranges, seldom found at very high
elevations, and never approaching the limits of forest. Though
far from being rare, fewer perhaps are met with than of any other
kind, unless it is particularly sought, for, always excepting the
Jewar. The reason of this may be that the general character of the
ground where they resort is not so inviting in appearance to tlie
sportsman as other places ; besides, they are everywhere confined to
particular localities, and are not like the rest scattered indiscriminate-
ly over almost every part of the regions they inhabit. Their haunts
are on grassy hills, with a scattered forest of oak and small patches
of underwood, hills covered with the common pine, near the
sites of deserted villages, old cowsheds, and the long grass amongst
precipices, and broken ground. They are seldom found on hills
entirely destitute of trees or jungle, or in the opposite extreme
of deep shady forest; in the lower ranges they keep near the tops
of the hills or about the middle, and are seldom found in thQ
vaUies or deep ravines. Further in the interior, they are generally
low down, often in the immediate vicinity of the villages ; except
in the breeding season, when each pair seek a spot to perform the
business of incubation, they congregate in flocks of from five or six
to ten or fifteen, and seldom more than two or three lots inhabit the
same hill. They wander about a good deal on the particular hill
they are located, but not beyond certain boimdaries, remaining
about one spot for several days or weeks, and then shifting to

/

/\

42 GAME BUcnS OF INDIA.

another, but never entirely abandon the place^ and year after year
may to a certainty be found in some quarter of it. During the
day, unless dark and cloudy, they keep concealed in the grass and
bushes^ coming out morning and evening to feed ; when come
upon suddenly while out, they run off quickly in different directions,
and conceal themselves in the nearest cover, and seldom more than
one or two get on the wing. They run very fast, and if the ground
is open and no cover near, many will run two or three hundred
yards in preference to getting up. After concealing themselves, they
lie very close and are flushed within a few yards. There is perhaps
no bird of its size which is so difficult to find, after the flock have
been disturbed, and they have concealed themselves ; when the
gra^s is very long, even if marked down, without a good dog it is
often impossible, and with the assistance of the best dogs not one-
half will be found a second time. A person may walk within a
yard of one and it will not mova I have knocked them over
with a stick, and even taken them with the hand. In autumn the
long rank grass so prevalent about many of the places they resort
to, enables them to hide almost anywhere; but this is burnt
by the villagers at the end of winter, and they then seek refuge
in low jungle and brushwood, and with a dog are not bo difficult
to find.

^ Both males and females often crow at daybreak and dusk, and
in cloudy weather sometimes during the day. The crow is loud
and singular, and when there is nothing to interrupt the sounds
may be heard for at least a mile. It is something like the words,
chir a pir, chir a pir, chir chir^ chirwa^ chirwa^ but a good deal
varied ; it is often begun before complete daylight, and in spring
when the birds are numerous, it invariably ushers in the day.
In this respect it may rival the domestic Cock. When pairing
and scattered about, the crow is often kept up for near half an
hour, first from one quarter, then another, and now and then all
seem to join in as a chorus. At other times it seldom lasts more
than five or ten minutes.

" The Cheer-pheasant feeds chiefly on roots, for which it digs
holes in the ground ; grubs, insects, seeds and berries, and, if near
cultivated fields, several kinds of grain form a portion ; it does

CHEEE PHEASANT. 43

not eat grass or leaves like all the rest of our Pheasants. It is
easy to rear in confinement, and might, withont difficulty, be na-
turalized in England, if it would stand the long frosts and snows
of severe winters, which I imagine is rather doubtful. The
female makes her nest in the grass or amongst low bushes,
and lays from nine to fourteen eggs, of a dull white, and
rather small for so large a bird. They are hatched about
the end of May or beginning of June. Both male and female
keep with the young brood, and seem very solicitous for their
safety.

"This bird flies rather heavily and seldom very far. Like most
others, it generally utters a few loud screeches on getting up, and
spreads out the beautifully barred feathers of its long tail, both
when flying and running. It does not perch much on trees, but
will occasionally fly up into one close by, when put up by dogs.
It roosts on the ground generally, and when congregated together,
the whole flock huddle up in one spot They will however at
times roost in trees or bushes."

Other true Pheasants besides P. eokJiicua are P. torguatus, or
the ring-necked Pheasant of China, which differs from the common
one by having a white ring round the neck, and the back being
green. It is figured by Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VIII., pi. 1 ; and
another species, P. mongolicutt^ has been lately described by Gould.
P. versicolor^ Vieillot, (Diardi, Temm.) figured by Gould, Birds
of Asia, pt IX., pL 1, from Japan, has frequently interbred
with the common and ringed Pheasants in England. The
gorgeous P. Reevem^ Gray {veneratus^ Temm.) from China, and
badly figured in Hardwicke's 111. Ind. ZooL, is placed under
Syrmaticus^ of Wagler. P. Stfemmeringiig Temm., from Japan, a
fine species with coppery red plumage, is placed by Rcichcnbach
as Graphophasianus,

The Golden Pheasants form a pretty distinct group, Thaumalea,
Wagler, ( Chrysolopkua, Gray ). They have the head crested, and
a sort of ruiF or tippet round the back of the neck, and a very
long tail There are two species, one the well-known Golden
Pheasant, Thaumalea picia, from China, said to extend west ia
Central Asia, as far as Orenbourg ; and deemed by Cuvier to be

44 QAMB BIBD8 OF INDIA.

the type of the Phcettix of the ancients. The other species is a
most lovely bird, Thaumcdea Amherstice, Leadbeatcr, probably an
inhabitant of the northern provinces of China, or Mantchouria.
It is beautifully figured in Gray's Genera of Birds.

The Silver Pheasant, Genmsui tiycthemerusj figured by Gould,
Birds of Asia, pt. XL, pi. 1, is the type of another form ; and
this is intimately connected with a group which leads from the
Pheasants to the Firebacks and Jungle-fowl, and may be placed
with cither. It is that of the Kalij Pheasants of the Himalayas^
and, as it partakes both of the character of the Pheasants and
Jungle-fowl, so, in its geographical distribution, it ranges from
the head quarters of the Pheasants to the Burmese province,
where Jungle-fowl take the place of the true Pheasants.

*

The Silver Pheasant of Burmah, FhananuB lineatus. Latham,
figured in Belanger's Voyage, Birds, pi. 8, might be classed either
with the true Silver Pheasant, or the Kalij group, but from geogra-
phic reasons I prefer placing it with the latter. It has been
separated as Grammatoptilus, Beichenbach. It occurs throughout
the hilly regions of Buimah.

Gen. Gallophasis, Hodgson.

Syn. EuplocomuSf Temminck Tin part).

C/iar. — ^Head more or less crested ; orbits na}ced, red ; plumage
^ssy black and white; the feathers of the neck and breast
hackled; tail moderately long, of sixteen feathers, divaricated,
raised in the centre, as in Jungle-fowl, and held demi-erect, the
feathers drooping and curving outwards.

This group is composed of at least three species, two being
found in the Himalayas, and one in Assam, Chittagong and
Arrakan. They are birds about the size of a small fowl, and live
at various elevations, from 3,000 feet to 7,000 feet and upwards.
Gray places them among the Jungle-fowl, but from their Himalayan
distribution, and their not extending far South, I prefer placing
them with the Pheasants, but leading directly to the Firebacks and
Jungle-fowL

WHITE-CRESTED KALIJ-PHEASANT. 45

12. Gallophasis albocristatus, Vigors.

Phasianus, apud Vigors— GouLD, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 66, 67
— P. Hamiltonii, Gray— Hardwicke, IlL Ind. Zool. 1 |»1.
41— Blytii, Cat. UlO—Kalij-^Murgh-kaUj, and Kukera, H. at
Simla and the N. W. Himalayas.

The White-crested Kali j-pheas ant.

Descr. — Male, head, neck, wings and tail shining bluish black ;
a long crest of slender decomposed feathers, white ; lower back
and rump dull white, slightly barred with black, the feathers being
black at the base, broadly tipped with white ; throat and breast
greyish white, the feathers lanceolate ; belly and vent dark grey.

Bill dark homy; naked orbits bright red; irides brown; legs
and feet dark horny. Length 26 inches ; extent 32 ; wing 10 ;
tail 12 to rS. Weight about 3 lbs.

The female is less than the male, of a light brown colour
throughout, each feather being tipped with pale vvhity brown ; *the
chin whitish ; lateral tail-feathers dark. The young male is said
to get his proper plumage the first year.

The white-crested Kalij is found in the North-west Himalayas,
as far as Nepal, where it meets with the next species^ and
hybrids between the two are not uncommon ; and these have
caused some confusion of species, P. leucomelanos^ of Latham
being considered as one of these hybrids, and P. hamiltonii another.

" The well known Kalleege," says Mountaineer, " is most abun-
dant in the lower regions ; it is common in the Dboon at the
foot of the hillsy in all the lower vallies, and every where to an
elevation of about 8,000 feet ; from this it becomes more rare,
though a few are found still higher. It appears to be more unsus-
picious of man than the rest of our Pheasants ; it comes much nearer
his habitations, and from being so often found near the villages and
road-sides, is considered by all as the most common, though in their
respective regions the Moonall is more numerous. In the lower
regions, it is found in every description of forest from the foot to
the summit of the hills, but it is most partial to low coppice and
jungle^ and wooded ravines or hoUows. In the interior it frequents

46 GAME BIBDS OF INDIA.

the scattered jungle at the borders of the dense forest, thickets near
old deserted patches of cultivation, old cowsheds and the like,
coppices near the villages and roads, and in fact forest and jungle of
every kind, except the distant and remoter woods in which it is sel-
dom found. The presence of man, or some trace that he has once
been a dweller in the spot, seems as it were, necessary to its existence.

" The Kalleege is not very gregarious ; three or four are often
found together, and ten or a dozen may sometimes be put out of
one small coppice, but they seem in a great measure independent
of each other, and much like our English Pheasants. When disturb-
ed, if feeding or on the move, they generally run, and do not
often get up unless surprised suddenly and closely, or forced by
dogs, and lie rather close in thick cover. They are never very shy,
and where not unceasingly annoyed by sportsmen or shikarees, are
as tame as any sportsman could wish. In walking up a ravine or
bill side, if put up by dogs, a little distance above, they will often
fly into the trees close above his head, and two or three allow them-
selves to be quietly knocked over in succession. When flushed
from any place where they have sheltered, whether on the ground
or aloft, they fly off to some distant cover, and alight on the ground
in preference to the trees. Their call is a loud whistling chuckle
or chirrup ; it may occasionally be heard from the midst of some
Uiicket or coppice at any hour of the day, but is not of very fre-
quent occurrence. It is generally uttered when the bird rises, and
if it flies into a tree near, often continued some time. When flushed
by a cat or a small animal, this chuckling is always loud and
earnest.

'^ The Kalleege is very pugnacious, and the males have frequent
battles. On one occasion I had shot a male which lay fluttering
on the ground in its death stmggles, when another rushed out of
the jungle and attacked it with the greatest fury, though I was
standing reloading the gun close by. The male often makes a
singular drumming noise with its wings, not unlike the sound
produced by shaking in the air a stiff piece of cloth. It is beard
only in the pairing season, but whether to attract the attention of
the females or in defiance of his fellows, I cannot say, as I have

••

8IKIM KALIJ-PHEASANT. 47

never seen the bird in the act^ though often led to the spot where
they were by the sound.

It feeds on roots, grubs, insects, seeds, and berries, and the
leaves and shoots of shrubs. It is rather difficult to rear in con-
finement when caught old ; and the few chicks I have tried, have
also soon died, though possibly from want of proper care and atten-
tion. It is singular that of the Hill-pheasants the one most common
near the habitations of man, should so ill brook the loss of liberty,
wliile the Jewar, the most retired and solitary of all, is the most
easily reconciled to it. The Kalleege lays from nine to fourteen
eggs, mucii similar in size and colour to those of the domestic
hen. They are hatched about the end of May.'^

13. Oallophasis melanotus, Bltth.

Euplocomus, apud Blytit, Cat. 1469 — Karrick-pho, Lepch.
Kirriky Bhot. — Kalij of Europeans at Darjeeling.

TuE SiKiM Kalij-pheasant.

Descr. — ^Male, the whole upper plumage, including the crest,
glossy black ; beneath white ; the feathers of the throat and breast
long and lanceolate ; abdomen, vent, and under taii-covcrts dull
brownish black.

Bill pale homy yellow ; orbitar skin fine red ; irides brown ;
legs horny; weight about 3 lbs. Length 27 inches; wing 9|; tail
13 ; tarsus 3.

The female has the plumage brown, pale and whitish about the
head and throat, the feathers of the back tipped with greyish, and
those of the wing-coverts and beneath, broadly edged with white,
all the feathers faintly white-shafted.

The Sikim black Pheasant differs conspicuously from that of
Simla by the crest being black, and in having no white on the
rump. In this last point, it differs also from another species, Gallo-
phasis HoTsfieldiL It extends into Nepal for some distance till it
meets the previous species. About Darjeeling it is the only
Pheasant at all common, and is not unfrcquentlyput up on the

48 OAll£ BIRDS OF INDIA.

road side by dogs, when it at once takes refuge in trees. It is
found from 3,000 to nearly 8,000 feet ; walks and runs with its
tail semi-erect, and frequents both forests and bushy and grassy
ground, coming to the fields and more open spaces to feed in tlie
morning and evening. Its eggs are occasionally foimd by the
coolies when weeding the Tea-gardens in June and July, and are
usually, I am told, five to eight in number. Its call sounds some-
thing like hoorchi'koorchi, at other times koorook-koorook.

GallophasU Horsfieldiiy figured by Gray in his Genera of Birds,
and also by Wolf, is found in all the hilly regions of Assam,
Sylhet, Tipperah, and Ghittagong, where called Muthura. It
difiers from the Darjeeling Kalij by having the back and rump
white, &c. I foimd it in the Khasia Hills, at Ibetween 3,000 and
4,000 feet of elevation. It grades into the Burmese G. Kneatus,
specimens from Arrakan, being apparently hybrids between the
two species.

Sub-fam. GALLiKiS.

Head sometimes furnished with fleshy crest and wattles, or
crested, or sub-crested ; tail usually of fourteen feathers, com-
pressed, and more or less divaricate, held demi-erect ; the upper
tail-coverts in the males are (typically) elongated and pendent.

This division comprises, according to our views, the Jungle-fowls
of India and Malay ana; the Fire-backs, and the black Phea-
sants, peculiar to tlie Malayan region ; and a small group from
India and Ceylon, the so called Spur-fowl of Indian sportsmen.
Although one species extends to the lower ranges of the Himalayas,
it cannot be called a Himalayan form, and thus this series of game
birds differ remarkably in their geographic distributions from the
last, only one form of which (and that one osculant with the
present division) extends south of the Himalayan region. A
very beautiful bird, Diardigallus prelattis, Bonaparte, from Siam,
may be considered the link from the Kalij Pheasants to the Jungle-
fowl, or rather to the Fire-backs. It has a peacock-like crest, a
rather long glossy black tail, the upper plumage and breast silvery
grey, and the rump pale golden yellow. It is figured by Gould in
bis birds of Asia, pt. XH., pi. 4. Next this should come the

RED JUNOLE-FOWL. 49

Fire-backed Pheasants, Maeartneyaj with two species, Phasianus
if/nitu8, and P. Vieilloti ; large birds with black plumage, the back
fiery red, and the middle tail feathers white. The head is slightly
crested, and the orbits are blue. Next Aleetropkasis^ Gray, founded
on the Lophopliorui Cumerii of Temminck, a very beautiful bird ;
and AcomuSf founded on the Pluuianus erythropthalmoi^ similar
but smaller, and in which genus the female is occasionally spurred.
This and the last have rufous tails. Next these the Jungle-fowL

Gen. Gallus, Linnaeus.

C/iar, — Head furnished with a crest of skin ; the face nuda
and also a loose lappet or wattle ; tarsus of the male strongly
spurred ; the spur long and slightly curved ; tail, of fourteen feathersi
compressed, divaricated, with the median feathers lengthened,
curved and drooping, held semi-erect, the backs of the feathers
facing each other ; the upper tail-coverts lengthened and curved ;
feathers of the neck hackled, lanceolate.

This genus comprises the so called Jungle-fowl, the origin of all
pur varieties of Fowl, and its general characters are familiar to all.
Several species are known occurring from India as far as Timor
at all events. India possesses two, and Ceylon another species.

14. Oallns ferrngineiiBi Gmbldt.

Tetrao, apud Gmelin — figured by Latham as the Hackled
Partridge — Blyth, Cat 1462 — G. bankiva, Temmingk (in part)
— Hardwioke 111. J. Z. 1 pL 43 f. 3 the hen,— Jerdon, Cat. 267
— Ban murgh^ or Jangli-murgk^ H, — Bankokra of the Sontals
and in Central India — Gera gogor of the Gonds (the male),
Kuru (the hen) — Natsu-pia^ Bhot. — Pazok-Ukir, Lepch.

The Bed Jcnqlb-fowl.

Deser. — ^Male, colors as in the typical Barn-door fowl, rfe., rich
golden hackles on the head, neck, throat and breast, paler on the
sides of the neck and posteriorly ; ear-coverts white ; back purj^ish
brown in the middle, rich orange brown on the aides ; upper tail*
coverts lengthened, also bright orange ; wings with the lesser and
greater-coTcrts black, gbssed .with green ;. median-coverfa rich

9

50 GAME BIRDS OP INDIA.

dull maronne; primaries dusky with pale edges; secondaries
chesnut externally, dusky within ; tertiaries glossy black ; tail
with the central feathers rich glossy green-blacky the gloss dimin*
ishing on the lateral feathers ; beneath, from the breast, unglossed
black ; thigh-coverts the same.

Bill slaty brown ; irides orange red ; face, comb, and wattles
red ; legs slaty black* Length about 26 inches ; wing 9 ; tail
15 ; tarsus 2{. Weight about 2^ lbs.

The Jungle-hen has the general colour yellowish brown, minute-
ly mottled with dark brown ; and some of the feathers, especially
of the upper back and wing coverts having conspicuously pale
shafts ; the head dusky above, passing into short hackles of dark
brown, edged with bri<^ht yellow on the neck and sides of the
breast ; quills and tail dark brown ; the central rectrices edged
with mottled brown ; ear-coverts yellowish ; a line down the
throat deep bright red-brown ending in a point below, and passing
up in a line behind the ears to join a small siipercilium of tlie same
hue; breast pale rufous brown, with central pale streaks, lighter
on the middle of the belly and becoming dull brown on the flanks,
vent, thigh-coverts, and under tail-coverts. She wants the comb
and wattles, and has only a small nude red space. Length 16 or
17 inches; tail 7.

The well known Jungle-fowl is found from the Himalayas
southwards, on the west of India, as far at all events, as the range *
of Vindhian hills ; and as I have been informed by Mr. W.
Blanford since the above remarks were penned, also south of
the Nerbudda on the Baj-peepla hills. Col. Sykes* variety found
in the Western Gh&ts with much red in its plumage must be this
species, but it is to Jbc wished he had noted the particular locality.
On the east, it occurs through Central India and the Northern Circars
to near the north Bank of the Oodavery. I have heard of its having '
been killed even south of this, at Cummum, but I cannot speak
positively on this head. I have not seen it myself further south
than the banks, of the Indrawntty, not far from its junction with
the Godavery, and there both this species and the next were
heard crowing a few yards from each other. I shot one bird, an
undoubted hybrid between the two races.

RED JUNGLE-FOWL. 51

In Central India, this Jungle-fowl is rare, especially towards the
Western portion, at Jubbulpore, Saugor, Mhow^ Ac, bat it is very
abundant to the Ea^t, and particularly so in the Northern Circars.
It is not uncommoni too, in the Kajmahal hills, extending to the
south bank of the Ganges. Towards the North-west it occurs in
the range of hills South of Cashmere, and to the West of Jummoo,
but is rare there, though common in the lower ranges near Simla,
and thence alon^ the Himalayas to Assam, Sylhet, Chittagong
and Burmah. Malayan specimens are decidedly darker in tint,
and have the ear-coverts rufous, and perhaps may be considered
to be a distinct race or species, which, in that case^ would bear
Temminck's name, BankivcL This race appears to extend over
many of the Malayan islands^ as far as Timor, at all events; and
Mr. Blyth drew my attention to the statement of Jpngle-fowl
occurring in the Benin islands. Certain pale-colored birds from
the lower Himalayan ranges were noticed in the Ann. and Mag.
Nat. Hist, Vol. XX., p. 389.

The Jungle-fowl is very partial to Bamboo jungle, but is found
as well in lofty forests and in dense thickets. When cultivated
land is near their haunts, they may, during the harvest season
and after the grain is cut, be seen morning and evening in the
fields, often in straggling parties of ten to twenty. Their crow
which they give utterance to morning and evening, all the year
round, but especially at the pairing season, is quite like that of a
Bantam cock^ but shorter, and never prolonged as in our domestic
cocks. The hen breeds from January to July, according to the
locality, laying eight to twelve eggs, of a creamy white color,
often under a bamboo clump, or in some dense thicket, occasionally
scraping a few leaves or dried grass together to form a nest. Sooner
or later after the breeding season is over, the neck hackles of the
male sometimes fall off, and are replaced by short blackish grey
feathers.

Where detached clumps of Jungle or small hills occur in a
jungly district where these Fowl abound, very pretty shooting can
be had by driving them by means of dogs and beaters ; and in
travelling through a forest country, many will always be found near
the roads^ to which they resort to pick up grain from the droppings

52 GAltK BIRDS OF INDIA.

of cattle, &c. ; dogs will often put them up when they at onee fly
on to the nearest trees. Young birds, if kept for a few days, are
very excellent eating, having a considerable game flavour.

15. Oallus Sonneratiiy Tbmminck.

PL Col. 232 and 233 — Phas. gallus, apud Sonnerat— Phindi-
cus. Leach— Blyth, Cat 1464— Stkks, Cat. 148 — Jerdon,
Cat. 266 — JangU miurgh^ H. — Adavi kodij Tel. — Kaiu koli, Tam.

The Grey Jungle-fowl.

Deser. — Whole head and neck, with the hackles, blackish grey,
with yellow spots, each feather being blackish, with the shaft
white and two spots, the terminal one of somewhat square
form, as if a drop of yellow sealing wax ; the other whitish, passing
on the wing-coverts into oblong spots of glistening wood-brown ;
ear-coverts pale rufous ; the rest of the plumage above and below^
blackish grey, the feathers white shafted, and those on the flanks
broadly centered and tipped with wood-brown ; outermost prima-
ries dusky, with the shaft and narrow edge pale ; the others black,
fiuntly glossed ; upper tail-coverts glossy purple ; the central tail
feathers glossy green, the gloss diminishing on the lateral feathers ;
vent dirty brownish ; under tail-coverts glossy black, with white
shafts.

Bill yellowish homy ; comb, face, and wattles red ; iridea
orange brown ; legs and feet homy yellowish. Length 24 inches
and upwards in fine specimens ; wing 9^ to 10; tail 15 to 16 ;
tarsus 3^ ; weight 2^ lbs.

The Hen is mottled brown above, with pale shafts on the wing-
ooverts; beneath blackish brown, the feathers broadly centered
with pure white, passing into plain dull brown on the flanks, thigh*
coverts, vent, and under tail-coverts ; head and neck mfous brown,
paler on the chin and throat and somewhat yellowish ; primaries
dark brown, the secondaries mottled brown ; tail blackish brown,
edged with mottled brown. Length about 17 inches.

This handsome Jungle-fowl is found in Southern India only,
extending on the east coast to a little north of the Godavery, in

GRET JUNGIiE-FOWIi. 53

Central India to the Pachraarri or Mahadeo hills, north of Nagpore^
and on the west coast to the Kajpeepla hills, where it meets the
Red Jungle-fowl. Its occurrence on the Pachmarri hills is most
probably its eastern extension from the Western Gh&ta and the
Rajpeepla hills, and it will probably be found all along the
Sathpoora range. I do not know of its occurrence east of the
Mahadeo hills, till the neighbourhood of the lower part of the
Godavery is reached. It is very abundant on the Malabar Coast,
especially in the more elevated districts, as in the Wynaad, and it
ascends to the summit of the Neilgherries ; it is also common
in suitable localities on the Eastern Gh&ts, and in the various
isolated ranges of hills in the south of India. It is not rare in
the Naggery hills near Madras, and is constantly brought for sale
to the Madras market.

Like the last, it is particularly partial to bamboo jungles.
Early in the morning, throughout the Malabar Coast, the Wynaad,
&c., Jungle-fowl may. always be found feeding on the roads, and,
with dogs, you are certain of getting several shots on the road
side, the birds perching at once on being put up by dogs. In
some districts where they can be beaten out of the woods, and
especially on the Neilgherries, very pretty shooting is to be had
at this Jungle-cock, the sharply defined woods, or * sholas' as they
are called, being well adapted to being beaten for game. The
Hen lays from February to May, generally having from seven to
ten eggs, of a pinky cream colour, under a bamboo clump. The
call of the Cock is very peculiar, being a broken and imperfect
kind of crow, quite unlike that of the Red Jungle-cock, and impos-
sible to describe. When taken from the jungles they are more wild
and not so easily domesticated as the Red Jungle-fowl ; but they
have bred in confinement with Hens of the common breed. I
have already noticed the occurrence, in a wild state, of hybrids
between this and the Red Jungle-fowl.

Ceylon possesses a separate species of Jungle*fowl, GaUus,
Stanleyi, Gray, (6. LafayeUi^ Lesson; UneaiuSf Blyth), something
like Bankiva^ but red beneath ; and Java has another very distinct
species, Galhts furcatus^ Temminck. Several other races are
noted, but some of them are doubtful species, G> aneusj Temm.,

54 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

being considered a hybrid between farcaiue and bankiva. Gray
has lately figured a fine Cock from Batavia, 6r. TemnUncku.

Lastly we come to what may be considered a dwarfed or degraded
race of Jungle-fowl, peculiar to the Continent of India and Ceylon,
the so called Spur-fowl of sportsmen in the South, the double-
spurred Partridge of some. These birds, which are only of the
size of .Partridges, have no comb nor wattles^ but they have nude
orbits, quite the port of Jungle-fowl, and the sexes differ neai-ly
as much, in which point they do not agree with the Partridge
group. They moreover, frequent woods and dense cover, never
coming into the open.

Gen. Galloperdix, Blyth.

Char. — Bill somewhat lengthened ; orbits nude ; tail moderately
long, broad, of 14 feathers, held erect and folded as in fowls ;
tarsus of the male with two or more spurs ; females also with one
or more spurs. Of small size. Sexes differ much in colour.

Only three species are known at present.

16. Galloperdix spadiceus, Gmelin.

Tetrao, apud Gmi^lin — Blyth, Cat. 1458— Hardwickr, 111.
Ind. Zool. 1 pi. 42 f. 2— Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VI., pi. 3—
STKES,Cat. 160— Jerdon, Cat 274— Poly plectron northiae, Gray,
Hardwicke, 111. I. Z. I. pi. 43, f. 1 (the female)— C/wto Jangli
murghj H. — Yerra kodi, and Jilta kodi, Tel—Saravi koli^ Tam.
Kokatrij Mahr.

The Eed Spur-fowl.

Deser, — Male, head and nape dusky olive-brown ; the forehead
and round the eye pale whity brown, somewhat buff in some
individuals ; chin, throat, and sides of neck pale brown ; the rest
of the body both above and below, rich brown-chesnut or bay ;
each feather pale edged ; primaries brown ; the secondaries and
tertiaries more or less minutely mottled ; tail with the central
feathers chesnut, the others dark-brown, more or less mottled, this
disappearing with age; lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-
Qoverts, olivaceous.

RED SPUE-rOWL. 55

Bill dusky-horny ; orbits red ; irides orange brown ; legs and
feet Vermillion red. Length 14 to 14^ inches ; wing 6^ ; tail 5 ;
tarsus 2 ; weight 1 2 to 13 oz.

The female has the crown dusky blackish, the neck olive
brown^ and the- rest of the upper plumage pale rufous-brown^
each feather with two or three blackish bands, and minutely
speckled, and the tip pale ; the rump and upper tail- coverts are
minutely freckled ; the tail mostly blackish, with mottled rufoua
bars, tending to become o'bsolete ; primaries, their coverts, and
the w^inglet, spotless dusky brown ; throat albescent ; neck olive
brown, the feathers becoming rufous in the centre, and tipped
with black ; breast and flanks bright ferruginous, with narrow
black tips ; belly dusky brown ; under tail-coverts freckled rufous
brown.

Length 13 inches ; tail 4|.

The male bird has usually two spurs on each tarsus, sometimes
three on one, and occasionally two on one leg and one on another,
often long and sharp. The hen bird has usually one on each
leg, sometimes absent on one leg ; and occasionally two on one
leg and one on the other.

The Red Spur-fowl is found throughout the South and many
parts of Central India, extending into the Bajmahal and Kurruk-
pore hill ranges south of the Ganges, but rare there. I have
seen it most abundant in the Malabar jungles, from near the level
of the Sea to the Neilgherries, up to nearly 7,000 feet of eleva-
tion, but more common lower down ; in the Northern Circars ; in
the eastern parts of Central India ; in the high land between
Nagpore and the Nerbudda, and also in the Yindhian range. As
both male and female are figured in Hardwicke*s Illustrations,
it may occur in some parts of the North-western Provinces,
but I have not seen it recorded higher than Bundelkund. Li
the less wooded ranges of the Eastern Gh&ts, it is rare, being
there replaced by the next bird. This species is stated in
some works to inhabit Madagascar as well as India, but this is
exceedingly doubtful. If it really has been received as from
Madagascar, I would accept Mr. BlytVs conjecture that it and
'Franc6linu9 sinenHs (also stated to have been received from

56 GAME BFRDB OF INDIA.

that Island) have been introduced into the Mauritius^ and sent
thence along with various Madagascar birds. It is more probable,
however, that some other species has been mistaken for it,
probably Tetrao madoffageariensiB^ which, indeed. Gray places next
Galhperdix in his genus PUctraphorus ; but which most probably
belongs to the African FrancoUns rather than to the Gallina.

The Red Spur-fowl chiefly affects forests, or dense thickets of
bamboos, and is diiBcult to obtain without dogs, as it runs before
the sportsmen or beaters ; and, in driving some of the large forests
for Deer, these Spur-fowl as well as Jungle-fowl and Pea-fowl often
run past the concealed gunner. On the Neilgherries good shots
can be had in beating the woods there, and two or three Spur-fowl
generally form part of a miscellaneous bag on those hills. Dogs
cause it to perch on trees at once, and it always roosts on trees
at night. It feeds on various kinds of grain, and very much on
Insects, especially on various kind of bugs, larvsB of small blattse,
&c., it comes less to the open to feed than Jungle-fowl, and 1
have never flushed it in fields. It runs with its tail raised, and
is always considered a sort of Jungle-fowl by the natives. The
call is a sort of crowing cry which the Mahrattas have attempted
to imitate in their name, and the call note of the hen is quite
fowl-like. It is stated to breed in dense thickets in March and
April The flesh, though rather dry, is of high flavour, and if,
as on the Neilgherries, it can be kept a few days, is really
excellent

I,

17. Galloperdix lunulosas, Yalenc.

Perdix, apud Valenciennes — Blyth, Cat. 1457 — Francolinus
nivosus, Delessebt Voy. aux. Indes pi. 10 — P. Hardwickii, Gray,
Habdwicke, IlL Ind. Zool., 1, pi. 52 — Jebdon, 111. Ind. Onu pL
42 (the female.) — Jitta kodi, Tel.

The Painted Spub-fowl»

Descr. — Male, head, face» and neck variegated black and white»
the feathers being black with white streaks and triangular spots,
the head mostly black ; the upper plumage and wings rich chesnut,
-with white spots on the back, sides of neck, shoulders, and wing-

PAINTED SPUR-FOWL. 57

coverts ; primaries earthy brown ; tail dark sepia brown, glossed
with green in old birds ; beneath, the throat and neck are varie-
gated black and white, changing on the breast to ochreous buff,
with small triangular black marks, which disappear on the abdomen ;
the flanks, thigh -coverts, and under tail-coverts dull chesnut.

Bill blackish ; orbits red ; irides red brown ; legs horny brown.
Length 13 inches ; wing 6 ; tail 5 ; tarsus 1^.

The female has the top of the head dusky, with the forehead,
over the eye, and the nape tinged with chesnut ; a pale ruff
and moustachial line ; the rest of the plumage dull olive brown,
changing to ochreous-olive on the breast and abdomen.

Length 12^ inches.

The male has generally two spurs on each leg, occasionally three,
and the hen bird has almost always one, frequently two. Young
males have the general plumage of females, with the tertiaries
and tail chesnut brown, with black bands ; and young females
have blackish lunulations on part of their plumage.

The Painted Spur-fowl is not found on the Malabar Coast nor
on the Neilgherries, but is common in several of the isolated
hill ranges of Southern India, and all along the Eastern Ghftts
which are more scantily clad with forest than those on the Malabar
Coast ; also in rocky hills about Hyderabad in the Deccan, and
thence sparingly through Central India, and the Saugor and
Nerbudda territories to the Monghyr and Mirzapore hills, and
pefliaps still further West, the male bird being figured in Hard-
wicke*8 Illustrations as from Cawnpore. A writer in the Bengal
Sporting Review states that he has seen them in the Cuttack jungles ;
but in Goomsoor, a little further south, I saw only the Ked Spur-
fowl. The same writer states them to be frequently seen on the
hilly parts of the Grand Trunk Road. £ither this or the last
species is called the ' Neibudda Chukor' in some pages of the
same periodical.

This handsome Spur-fowl is especially partial to rocky jungles
and tangled coverts, and is a very difficult bird to flush, taking
a short and rapid flight, and diving down into some impenetrable
thicket. I have often seen it running rapidly across rocks when the
jungles were being beaten for large game. From the difficulty'

h

58 GAME BIRDS OF INDTA.

of procuring this bird, it is not well known to sportsmen in general,
even in districts where it is not rare; and its qualities for
the table are inferior to those of the last species, having less
flavour and being more dry. Numbers are snared in the hills
not far from Madras, and they are generally procurable in the
Madras market. I have kept them in confinement for long.
They thrive pretty well, but the males are very pugnacious. The
males have a fine cackling sort of call, very fowl-like. This Spur-
fowl has been introduced into the Zoological Gardens of London,
and appearsi to be thriving well. A figure of it appeared in
Wolfs Zoological sketches of Animals and Birds living in those
gardens.

The only other known species of Spur-fowl, Galloperdix zeyhn-
emUj is somewhat allied to the last species, but difiers conspi-
cuously by the lower parts being mottled black and white, some-
what as in the Painted Partridge. It is figured by Gould in Birds
of Asia, pt. YL, pL 2.

BIyth considers Ptilapachus^ an African genus, to approximate
Galloperdix^ but on geographic considerations I prefer keeping it
among the Francolins and Partridges as Gray has done. The
Turkeys are sometimes placed as a division of the Fhaaianidce^
but I think on grounds both of structure, habit, and geographic
distribution, that they ought to be kept distinct. Bonaparte, indeed,
places them, and the somewhat less isolated Guinea fowls of Africa,
as families in one Cohort, Craces^ with the Cracidce; and Gitty
places both Turkeys and Guinea-fowl in his sub-fam. MeleagriwB
of the PhasianidoB. Though I can hardly agree with Bonaparte
in associating them with the Curassows from which they dificr in
so many structural details, yet I agree with him that geographic
distribution must be considered in allotting a place in the natural
system to any group.

The Meleagridoe or Turkeys, are birds of large size, with the
head and neck naked; a fleshy caruncle hangs from the cere,
partially erectile, and the tiiroat is furnished with a pendulous
carunculated wattle capable of expansion and turgescence, when
the bird is excited either by anger or desire ; the tail has eighteen
broad feathers, which the male raises erect and spreads, pufling out

TETRAONID^. 59

his plumage and gobbling. The torsus is armed with a blunt spur,
and the bill is rather short and stout. Three species are now known,
Mehfogjia syheairis, of N* America; M. oceliata, of Honduras;
and M. mextcanoj Gould, undoubtedly the origin of the domestic
Turkey. They frequent woods, associating in large flocks.

Fam. Tetraonid^ — Grouse and Partridges.

Syn. Cohort PerdiceSj Bonap.

Bill generally short, stout, and thick ; nostrils, in many, plumed
at the base; wings rounded in most, pointed in a few, longer
than in the Phadanidm\ tail short or moderate, even or very
slightly rounded, forked and lengthened in a few ; tarsus rather
short and stout ; face feathered entirely, or with a small patch
of nude skin over or round the eye. Plumage of the sexes in
general differing but very slightly, sometimes not at aU.

The Grouse, Partridges, and Quails, which compose this family,
differ markedly in several points from the Pheasants and Jungle-
fowls, albeit some of them have more or less resemblance to the
birds of that group. The Black-cock with his forked tail and
black plumage recalls the coloring of Gallophasis and Acomus ;
and the Capercailzie has the perching habits of the Phemants.
But there is something in the physiognomy of most of tliis family
which points them out, even to the common observer, as a distinct
group. Their form is heavy, stout, and massive ; the neck shorter ;
the bill stout and short ; the tail is shorter, and seldom raised ;
there is very slight, often no difference between the sexes ; and
the plumage of most has that peculiar character distinguished as
game plumage, rather a vague term certainly, and more evident
to the eye than describable in words.

They hav.e, moreover, a totally different geographical distribu-
tion, being found over all the world, whilst the PhaaiaaMtB are
confined nearly to the South-east of Asia. Bonaparte places them
as his Cohort Ferdicea ; but in relation with the Pteroeiid^R and
TinamidWf to neither of which they are very closely affined.
They, as a general rule, affect open grass lands, moors, fields,
and low scattered jungle, ^in contradistinction to the Pheasant
tribe which almost always prefer forests or thick coverts ; and

60 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

several lEissociate in parties called coveys^ or bemes^ and in
still larger bodies or flocks in winter. The flesh of all is good
and high flavored^ more so perhaps than that of the Pheasants,
but varying of course according to the group, or even the
species.

The Tetraonida may be divided into Grouse, Partridges, American
Partridges, Quails and Guinea-fowl, and, as in the last family, I
shall consider these as sub-families. Of these, the Grouse are
peculiar to the Northern portions of both Continents. Partridges
are found in Europe, Asia and Africa, disappearing in the Malayan
Archipelago, except to its extreme west ; the American Partridges
are confined to the New World ; and Quails have the same distri-
bution as the true Partridges, but, conversely to that group, have
a tendency to accumulate in the South-eastern portion of the
Malayan Archipelago and Australia, wiiere, with l^umix of the
Tinamida, they are the only typical Gallinaceous birds. The
Guinea-fowl of course are confined to Africa.

The sub-fam. Tetraonin^, or true Grouse, are not represented
in India, being peculiar to the Northern portion of both Continents.
They are mostly birds of large or moderate size, and of strong
flighty with the tarsus and toes more or less feathered; they
frequent heathery moors, or upland and hilly pastures. Some,
the Grouse, are polygamous ; others, as the Ptarmigan, so similar
otherwise to Grouse, are monogamous. The plumage is in
general dark, and of very game character, and the flesh is the
most highly flavoured of any of the Gallinacea. The best known
are the Scottish Grouse, Tetrao scotieus ; the Black-cock, Lyrurus
tetrix; the noble Capercailzie, Urogullua vulgaris ; and the mountain-
loving Ptarmigan, Lagopus mutus. Several other species of Grouse
occur on the Continent of Europe and Northern Asia, and one
species of Ptaimigan occurs in the Caucasus, but as yet.no species
of Grouse or Ptarmigan has been observed on the Himalayas or
adjacent territories. The Ruffed Grouse of Europe, Bonasa
betuUnOj Scopoli, descends to a lower latitude than any of the
true Grouse; and Mr. Blyth states that he has recognised a new
species of this group among some Chinese drawings. Many
Grouse are found in North America, one group, the Centrocaxui

SNOW-I30CK8 AND BNOAY-PARTRIDQES. 61

_ •

or Fin-tailed Pheasants, as they are there called, being peculiar to
that region,

Sub-fam. PfiBDiciNiB.

Tarsus not feathered ; orbits generally plumed, or wanting the
nude eyebrow of the Grouse ; tarsus often spurred.
. This sub-family comprises an extensive group of birds of mode-
rate or small size, found over the greater part of the Old Continent,
frequenting fields, pastures, reeds, moors, and rocky hill sides, very
rarely preferring forests or jungles. They are distinguished from
Grouse by having the tarsus nude and generally scutate. The
beak is generally short and tolerably compressed, the margin entire,
and the nostrils protected by a hard scale. They lay numerous
eggs, and feed on grain, berries, insects, and small molluscs.

There are several distinct types of form among them, differing
in the spurring of the tarsus, longer or shorter bill, coloration,
and habits ; and they are found throughout the Old World, not
extending to the eastern portion of Malayana, nor to Australia.

The Partridges occurring in India may be divided *into Snow-
cocks and Snow-partridges, peculiar to the highlands of Central
Asia and the Himalayas ; Partridges, (in ordinary parlance) com-
prising the Francolins, Chukors, Grey-partridges, Wood-partridges
and Bush-quails. Besides^ there are the true Partridges, represented
by the common Grey-partridge of Europe, with one species from
Thibet ; and the great group of African Partridges.

\8i. — Snow-cooks and Snow-pabtbidoes.

These comprise two genera of mountain Partridges peculiar to
the higher regions of Central Asia, which combine the naked
tarsi of Partridges with the habits and aspect of Grouse and
Ptarmigan, and may thus be said to form a link, both structurally
and geographically between the two groups. Both occur within
our limits. Bonaparte places them in his section Tetrathgallem
of his FerdiciruB^ but badly associates with them Oalloperdix^
Franeolintu^ and the Grey-partridges of India, and also most of
the African Partridges, some of which, from their size, may
perhaps enter this group. Gray associates them with the Sock
and Sand-partridges {Chukors) to form his sub-fam. Caccabime,

62 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. •

Gen. Tetraooallus, Gray.

Syn. MegaloperdiXf Brandt — Chourtkoj Moiach.^^Oreoteircuc,
Cabanis.

Char. — Bill longish, stout, broad ; a small naked patch behind
the eye ; wincrs moderate and somewhat pointed, having the 2nd
and 3rd quills the longest; tail ample, moderate, of eighteen
feathers ; tarsi short, stout, with a short blunt spun Of large
size — Sexes alike.

Until recently but one species was recognised in ihis fine group,
but now four very distinct species have been discriminated, and
a fifth indicated. They are birds of large size, as large as a
Black-cock, of a light mottled grey colour; and they frequent
the highest spots close to the snows ; from their* large size they
are often popularly called Snow-pheasants ; but, from their asso-
ciation with the birds of this group, perhaps had better be called
Snow-cocks.

18. Tetraogallus Himalayeiisis, Grat.

Bltth, Cat. 1487— Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. V., pi. 2—
T. nigelli, apud Gray, Hardwigke, 111. Ind. Zool. vol. 2, pi. 46
— Lophophorus nigelli, Jard. and Sblbt, 111. Orn. 3 pL 141—
Jer-numal in the N. W. Himalayas — Kabak^ and Gourkagu in some
parts — Huin-wal, in Kumaon — Snow-pheasant, Snow Chukor, and
Strath Chukor of sportsmen.

Thb Himalayan Snow-cook.

2>eicr.-^Crown of head, cheeks, and back of neck grey, the rest
of the upper parts light ashy-grey, minutely freckled with black,
purer ashy on the wings, and tihged with brownish rufous on the
back ; each feather of the back, rump, and wing-coverts, striped
with dull buff, more rufous, and inclining to chesnut brown on
those of the wings ; primaries white, broadly tipped with dufky
freckled grey ; tail reddish on the outer web, minutely freckled
with black ; freckled grey on the inner webs ; beneath, the chin
and throat are whitish ; a band of chesnut passes from above the
eye down the sides of the nape, and another from the angle of the
mouth passes down the sides of the neck and meets the first, when

HIMALAYAN SNOW-COCK. 63

it forms a collar round the lower part of the throat ; beneath this
the breast plumes are somewhat scale-like, the upper ones greyish
with a black lunule, the lower ones whitish ; the rest of the lower
surface is grey, minutely freckled with brown, pale on the flanks,
and with a double broad dash of chesnut on each feather ; vent and
under tail-coverts white ; thigh-coverts dark grey.

Bill pale horny; naked patch behind the eye yellow; irides
dark brown ; legs yellowish red. Length 29 inches ; extent 40 ;
wing 13; tail 8; tarsus 3. Weight 6^ lbs.

The females are somewhat smaller, 24 inches long;* wing 12;
tail?.

This fine bird is found throughout all the Western portion, at all
events, of the Hftnalayan range, as far as Nepal, but it is not certain
if it extends eastwards into Sikim and Bootan. It is also found
across the higher ranges in Chinese Tartary and Thibet It is pro-
bably the species observed in Cashmere by Yigne, who states that
it inhabits the Snowy Punjab on both sides of the valley, but
more common on the Thibet side. ' These fine birds,' says HuttoUt
' are common in the Hazara mountains, and are called Kauk-i-durra
or the ' Partridge of the Ghats' by the Affghans, and they are some-
times sold in the markets of Cabool and Candahar. They rise in
coveys of from ten to twenty, and usually have a sentrj perched
on some neighbouring rock, to give warning of danger by his
low and musical whistle. 'I'hey are difficult birds to shoot. I
found them in patches of the so called Tartaric Furze.' Captain
Boys states that it is strong on the wing, and that its flights are
very protracted. Its note, he says, ^ resembles that of a Dipper
(Cinclus), finishing with the cluck of a Chukar. During flight it
emits a shrill whistle somewhat similar to that of the Monaul.'

'* It is confined," says Mountaineer, " exclusively to the snowy
ranges, or the large spurs jutting from them which are elevated
above the limits of forest, but is driven by the snows of winter
to perform one, and in some places, two annual migrations to the
middle regions; in summer they are only seen near the limits
of vegetation. In Koonour (Kunawur) they are common at all
seasons from Cheenee upwards, but on the Oangetic hills, from
June till August, however much a person wanders about on the

64 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

highest accessible places, but few are met with, and I have no
doubt whatever, but that nearly all which at other seasons fre-
quent this part, retire across the snow into Chinese Tartary to
breed. About the beginning of September they are first seen
near the tops of the higher grassy ridges jutting from the snow,
and the green slopes above and about the limits of forest. After
the first general and severe fall of snow they come down in num-
bers on to some of the bare exposed bills in the forest regions,
and remain there till the end of March. This partial migration
is probably made in the night after the fall of snow, as I have
invariably found them in their winter quarters early the next
morning. It requires a deep fall to drive them down^ and some
mild winters, except a few odd birds, they do not come at all.
The birds on each respective hill seem to have a particular spot
for their winter resort^ which they return to every year the migra-
tion is made.

*^ The Snow-pheasant is gregarious, ooifgregating in packs, some-
times to the -number of 20 or 30, but in general, not more than
from 5 to 10 ; several packs inhabiting the same hill. In summer
the few which remain on our side are found in single pairs gene-
rally, but across the snow where the great body migrate, I almost
always, even then, found several together. They seldom leave
the hill on which they are located, but fly backwards and for-
wards when disturbed. The Ring-tailed Eagle is an inveterate
annoyer of these birds; inhabiting such exposed situations
where there is nothing to conceal so large a bird from his sight,
as he sails along the hill side above them, they at once arrest
his attention, and are driven backwards and forwards by this
unrelenting tormentor all day long. On the appearance of one of
these birds, which fortunately for them are not very numerous,
they seldom wait till he makes a stoop, but on his making a wh^el
near the spot where they are, immediately fly off to another quarter
of the hill, the eagle never flies after or attacks them on the wing ;
so that though he allows them little quietude while near their
resort, he only occasionally succeeds in securing one.
' "The Jer-moonal never enters forest or jungle, and avoids spots
where the grass is long, or where there is underwood of any kind.

HIMALAYAN SNOW-OOCK. 65

It is needless to add that it never perches. During the day, if the
weather be fine and warm, they sit on the rocks or rugged parts of
the hill) without moving much about, except in the morning and
evening. When cold and cloudy, and in rainy weather, they are
very brisk, and are moving about and feeding all day long. When
feeding they walk slowly up hill, picking up the tender blades of
grass, and young shoots of plants, occasionally stopping to snatch
up a certain bulbous root^ of which they seem very fond. If they
reach the summit of the hill, after remaining stationary some time,
they fly off to another quarter, alighting some distance down, and
again picking their way upwards. When walking, ihey erect their
tails, have a rather ungainly gait, and at a little distance have some*
thing the appearance of a large grey goose. They are partial to
feeding on spots where the sheep have been kept at nights when
grazing in the summer pastures. These places have been called
'Hatters*' by the shepherds, and the grass on them keeps green
and fresh long after the 'rest of the hill is quite dry and brown.
They roost on the rocks and shelves of precipices, and return to
one spot many successive nights.

'' Their call is a low soft whistling, occasiotfally heard at mtervals
throughout the day, but more generally at daybreak. It is most
common in cloudy weather. The first note is considerably pro-
longed and followed by a succession of low rapid whistles, and it
is by far the most agreeable song of all our game birds. This note
is only heard when the bird is at rest ; when alarmed and walking
away, it sometimes utters at short intervals a single low whistie, and
when it gets on the wing the whisties are shrill and very rapid.
However far it flies, the whistling is continued until it alights, and
for a few seconds afterwards, but then slightly changed in tone to
a few notes which seem in a strange manner to express satisfaction
at being again on the ground. However odd the comparison, I can
comjJare the whistling of these birds when flying and alighting to
nothing but the difference of 'SOund produced by the wings of a
flock of Pigeons when flying, and when alighting on some spot where
they have to flutter a few seconds before they can gain footing.

" The Jer-moonall is not remarkably wild or shy. When ap-
proached from below, on a person getting within eighty or a

66 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

hundred yards, they move slowly up hill or slanting across, often
turning to look back, and do not go very far unless followed. If
approached from above^ they fly off at once without walking many
yards from the spot They seldom in any situation walk far down
hill, and never run except for a few yards when about to take wing.
The whole flock get up together ; the flight is rapid» downwards at
firsts and then curving so as to alight nearly on the same level.
Where the hill is open and of great extent, it is often for upwards
of a mile, at a considerable height in the air ; when more cir-
cumscribed, as is often the case on the hills they frequent in winter^
it is of shorter duration, perhaps merely across or into the next ridge.
'^ They feed on the leaves of plants and grass, and occasionally
on moss, roots, and flowers ; grass forms by far the greater portion.
They are very partial to the young blade of wheat and barley,
when it is first springing up and while it remains short; and
should there be an isolated patch on the hill where they are,
visit it regularly night and morning. They never, however, come
into what may be called the regular cultivation. They are gene-
rally exorbitantly fat, but the flesh is not particularly good^ and
it has often an unpleasant flavour when the bird is killed at an
high elevation, probably owing to some of the plants it there feeds
upon. Though I have spent many summers on the snowy ranges,.
I never found the nest or eggs, but in Thibet I often met with
broods of young ones newly hatched. There were, however, several
old birds, and probably more than one brood of chicks, so I could
form no correct idea of the number in one brood. They are hardy
birds, and easily kept in confinement, but though they will eat
grain, I doubt if they would live long without an occasional
supply of their natural green food of grass and plants. They
may be kept with the least trouble in large cages, the bottoms of
which instead of being solid are made of bars of wood or iron
wire, so that the cages being put out on the grass, the birds may
feed through the interstices.

The eggs which have been found by travellers are about the
size of those of the Turkey, but, like those of the grouse, are
of a more lengthened form ; their ground color clear light olive,
sparingly dotted over with small light ch^snut spots."

HIMALAYAN SNOW-COOK. 67

Another species of Snow-cocjc occasionally obtained by Indian
sportsmen is TetraogaUuB tibetanw^ Gould^ figured in the Birds of
Asia, pt. v., pi. 4. ; but as it has not, I believe, been procured on
this side the Snowy range, I shall only briefly describe it without
giving it a place among the Birds of India. It is the smallest of
the group, only measuring 22 inches; wing 10^ ; tail 7 ; tarsus 2).
It has the head and neck grey ; the ears white ; the upper plumage
generally freckled with buff, grey, and black, which latter color
forms conspicuous dashes ; the primaries grey^ secondaries broadly
edged externally with white, forming a marked wing-band ; tail
rufous brown ; beneath, the chain, throat and breast are white,
separated from the grey of the head and neck by a dusky freckled
line, and with a gorget of freckled grey and buff; the abdomen
white ; the flanks and lower belly with dashes of black, and the
under tail-coverts entirely black. Bill homy ; legs red ; called
Huinwal in Eumaon.

It has been found in Ladak, Bukshu and other places across the
Himalayas. Major James Sherwill informed me that he had seen a
bird of this genus dose to the snows in the Sikim Himalayas,
which he was inclined to identify as the present species, and if
so, it must be included among the Birds of India ; but, as he did
not bring specimens, I must content myself with the above notice.
Lt. Speke informed Mr. Blyth that it was very tame and fearless,
and could be approached so near as to be knocked down by a
stone. Lu Forbes, however, assured me that those which he
procured were not quite so accessible, probably having been
occasionally shot at and disturbed.

The other species of Tetraogallus are T. caucasieuij Pallas ;
(CoipiuB, Gmelin; Laphoph. niffelli, of Jardine and Selby, lUust.
Om. pL 76) figured by Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. V., pi. 1.
This is found in the high mountain ranges of Persia. 71
altaicusj Gebler, figured by Gould in the same number at
plate 3, more resembles T, HbetanuSf but is larger^ wants the
white wing-band, and the lower abdomen and thigh-coverts are
black. It is from the Altai mountains. Chourtka alpma of
Motchoulski is considered by Gould to form a fifth species of
this genus.

68 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Oen. Lbbwa, Hodgson.

SyiL Tttfctoptrdixj Hodgson*

(7Aar.— BiH stout, riiort ; orbits plumed dirougfaout ; wing mo-
derately long, pointed, of great expanse, the 2nd quill longest ;
tail of fourteen feathers, rather long and strong ; tarsi feathered
a short way down. Male with short spurs.

This genus, composed of a single species peculiar to the
Himalayas, combines the colors of a Grouse with the naked leg
of a Partridge. Gould says that it assimilates in a nearly equal
degree to a Grouse, Francolin, and Partridge.

19. Lerwa iiiTioola) Hodgsok.

Madras Joum. Lit. 1837— Perdix Lerwa, Hodgson P. Z. S.
1833 — ^Habdwickb 111. Ind. Zool. 2 pL 44 f. 1 — Gould, Birds
of Asia, pt VII., pL 8 — Lerwa in Nepal, Quoir-mcnal^ or Koor^
vnanal — Also Gvidbi — ^and Jer'titar^ L e. Snow Partridge, in vari-
ous hill dialects — Bhyr or Bhair at Simla — Janguriya in Kumaon.

Thb Snow Pabtbidgs.

D€9Cr. — ^Head, neck, and the whole plumage, with the wings and
tail minutely barred with black and grejrish or \ifaSj white, more
grey on the head, neck, rump and upper tail-oorerts, and tinged
with chesnut on the sides of the neck, shoulder and wing-ooverts ;
quiUs dusky brown, narrowly freckled with buffy white on their
outer edges ; the secondaries broadly tipped with white ; tail dusky
with speckled bars of grey and rufous, and the feathers black
shafted ; beneath, the chin is greyish ; the throat, breast, and upper
part of the abdomen deep chesnut red, with dashes of buff or
whitidi on many of die feathers, especially on the flanks ; lower
abdomen, rent, and thigh-coverts barred like the upper part,
but widi a tinge of rufous ; lower tail-coverts chesnut-red, with
buffy white tips.

ffill bright red ; irides dark brown ; legs and feet red. Length
15 to 16 inches ; extent 24 ; wing 8 ; tail 4 ; tarsus 1|. Weight
18 oz.

The female is a trifle smtdler than the male, and wants the spurs,
but does not otherwise differ.

SNOW-PARTRIDGE. 69

This Game-looking bird appears peculiar to the upper Hima-
layan region near the snows, several travellers having stated that -
they had not seen them on the Thibet side of the hills. It is
found however along the whole extent of the Himalayas, having
been found in the extreme North-west as well as in Sikim.
Hodgson states that *' these birds have the habits and manners
of Tetrao rather than Perdix. They are gregarious in coveys,
nestle and breed under jutting rocks, feed on the aromatics^ seeds>
and insects found in the proper Himalayan region, which they
never quit, and amid the glaciers of which they take impene-
trable refuge when disturbed. Trees they wholly avoid, and are
usually found on the flatter and quasi-heathery ledges which
form steps from the snow-bound summits of the Himalayas. The
Lerwas moult, I think, twice a year, but certainly in autumn,
their plumage being most imperfect in August. They are
splendid game, with a vigorous flight, shy, and in size and strength
equal to a Grouse. Their flesh is white, succulent and possessed
of a very high flavour."

Dr. Hooker observed it in Sikim, and calls it a small gregarious
bird which inhabits the loftiest stony mountains, and utters a
abort cry of quu^ qinok; in character and appearance, it is
intermediate between Grouse and Partridge, and is good eating,
though tough.

" In general haunts and habits," says Mountaineer " this bird
much resembles the Snow-pheasant, frequenting the same high
regions near the Snow in summer, and migrating to the
same bare hills and rooks in winter. The Pheasant, however,
prefers the grassy slopes and softer parts of the hill, the
Partridge the more abrupt and rocky portions, where the^
vegetation is scantier, and more of a mossy than grassy charac-
ter. They are also more local, and confined more to particular
spots, and do not, like the pheasant, ramble indiscriminately
over almost every part of the hill. They are generally re-
markably tame; when approached, they utter a harsh whistle,
and if they keep still, it is often several moments before
they can be distinguished, their f>lamage much resembling and
blending with the general colour of much of the ground they

i»

I

'4

1

i

70 OAHE BIROS OF INDIA.

frequent ; if approached from above, they fly off at once, if from
below they walk away in the opposite direction, calling the
whole time, and often dudter together on the top of some large
stone in their way. Their flight exactly resembles that of the
f i Pheasant, and the whistle when on the wing being nearly the

same, and the birds having the same white on the wings, they
^ could hardly be distinguished when flying past at a distance, but

from the size. They seldom fly far, and if followed and put-up
again, often fly back to the spot where first found. At times they
seem unwilling to get up at all, and several shots may be fired at
them before they take wing. I once found a flock on a steep
ledge of rock in the forest, a few days after a severe enow storm
which had driven them down to their winter quarters ; they were
a little scattered and resting on the projecting ledges, and I fired
eleven shots within twenty yards, without one bird attempting to
get up. At one bird I fired twice without its moving at alL

**The Snow-partridge feeds on moss and the tender shoots
of small plants. It is always fat, and the flesh is tender and well
flavoured, and if kept a few days, something like Grouse. They
breed near the limits of vegetation, but I have not seen the nest
or eggs. I have often met with the young chicks, sometimes a
single pair of old birds with their young brood, and sometimes
several old birds and two or thiee broods of chicks, apparently
six or seven in a brood. When alarmed, the parent birds exhibit all
that distressful anxiety so common with their tribe, and endeavour
by drawing the attention of the intruder to themselves to decoy
him from the spot. They do not counterfeit lameness like some,
but walk away before him, and call out in a most plaintive manner.
. The young squat close on the ground, or creep beneath the stones^
for the herbage where they breed is never sufficiently high enough
to hide even the smallest bird."

Pabtbidgbs.

We now come to the true Partridges, which, however, form
several distinct groups, separated alike by habits, form, and colo-
ration*. In India there are representatives of the *^ Francolins'*
and the ' Red-legged Partridges* of Europe, and a true Partridge

BLACK PARTBIDGE/ 71

occurs on the further side of the Himalayas ; there are, besides, three
other groups, the Grey or Spurred Partridges, peculiar to the
continent of India ; the Wood Partridges, confined to the Himalayas,
in India proper, but extending through Burmah into Malay ana ;
and the Bush-quails, peculiar to India.
laL FratieoUns or Meadow Partridges.

Gen. Frangolinus, Stephens.

Syn. AttageUj Keys and Bias. — JBepbumia^ Keichenb.

Char. — Bill moderate or somewhat long, stout, slightly curved
at the tip ; tail of fourteen feathers, somewhat lengthened, even,
or very slightly rounded ; tarsi of the male with strong but blunt
spurs.

The Francolins may be said to be Partridges with more
lengthened bill and tail, slightly spurred, and with a peculiar and
rich coloration. The group may be considered an Asiatic form,
extending to the south of Europe, and to the north of Africa.
India possesses two species, and there is another in Burmah ; they
do not associate in coveys, and Blyth states that they appear to
him to have more of the general habits of Pheasants than of
Partridges, but to this I must demur. Gould considers them
allied to Ceriomis in the general style of coloring, the short spur,
and the form of the bill.

20. Francolinus vulgaris^ Stephens.

Bltth, Cat. 1500— 60UI.D, Birds of Europe, pL 259— Tetrao
francolinus, LiNNiBUS — Perdix Hepbumise, Gbat, Hardwigke,
111. Ind. Zool. pL 55, (the female) — F. Henrici, Bonap. — Kata-
tUaty or TUir^ H., said to be called Gaghar about Benares.

The Black Pabtuidos.

Deter. — Head, cheeks, and throat, deep black; the top of
the head and nape edged with rufous, and with some white
spots on the sides of the occiput, forming a pale line; ear-
coverts pure white ; a broad collar of fine chesnut red passes
round the whole neck ; upper part of the back black, the feathers
edged with rufous and white tipped ; the middle and lower back,

72 GAMB B1BD8 OF INDIA.

rump, and upper tail-coverts finely barred black, and whitish, or
grey ; wings with the coverts black, with broad bay or rufous
edges, and the quills barred with rufous and black; tail black,
the middle feathers barred with black and grey, on the upper parts ;
the lateral feathers being similarly barred at their base only;
plumage beneath, from the rufous collar, deep black, more or less
banded on the lower part of the abdomen with white, and the
flanks of the breast and abdomen spotted with white ; thigh-coverts
and under tail-coverts chesnut

Bill black ; irides brown ; legs yellowish red. Length 13 to
14 inches ; extent 20 ; wing 5f ; tail 3^. Weight 13 to 15 oz.

The female differs in wanting the black head and neck of the
male, which is more or less rufous, mixed with brown, the throat
and sides of the neck being white, and a dusky band surrounds the
white portion of the ear-coverts ; the back and wings are dusky,
with pale rufous edges, whitish on the wing ; the back» rump, and
upper tail-coverts, are barred pale rufous and dark brown ; the
tail feathers blackish, with pale bands ; the medial pair bro¥m
banded ; beneath, from the throat, the plumage is white with
black spots, longitudinal and arrow-shaped in front, becoming
more transverse on the flanks and lower abdomen* *

Length 12^ to 13 inches ; weight 12 to 13 oz.

The males have a short blunt spur, tubercular at first

The black Partridge is found throughout the whole of Northern
India, from the Himalayas to the valley of the Ganges, but not
that I am aware of, extending to any distance beyond the valley of
the Ganges until above Allahabad, beyond which it passes to the
Punjab, and southwards, through Rajpootana to Sindh and per*
haps to Goozrat. Eastwards it extends through Dacca to Assam,
Sylhet and Tipperah, but I have seen no record of its occurrence
further south in this direction, and it is replaced in Burmah
by an allied species. It occurs south of the Ganges between
that river and the Hooghly, and I have seen notices of the black
Partridge having been shot in Midnapore and Cuttack, but it is
certainly rare, south of the Ganges. Various notices appear in
several pages of the Bei^gcd Sporting Magazine of Black Partridges
occurring in the Saugor and Nerbudda territories, Mhow and Bun-

BL\CK PARTRIDGE. 73

delkund ; but In these instances, it has certainly been confounded
T^ith the nearly related Painted Partridge, as the Black Partridge
does not, to my own knowledge, occur for many miles north of
Mhow, Saugor or Jubbulpore, and I suspect not till the valley
of the Jumna is reached. Adams says that the Black Partridge
is plentiful in Bombay and Bengal, but as he does not give
the Painted Partridge at all, he has in some instances, at all
events, confounded it with that bird. The Black Partridge extends
along the valleys of the Himalayas for some distance in the
interior, but not ascending high ; and I observed it on the Khasia
hills at nearly 4,000 feet of elevation. The Black Partridge from
Sindh is put as distinct by Bonaparte under the name of F.
Henrici, and a drawing of the Sindh bird in Sir A. Burnes' collec-
tion gave some color to the separation ; but Sir B. Frere, to whom
I applied, having sent several specimens from Sindh, they proved
to be perfectly identical with the Partridge of Bengal. Out of
India the Black Partridge inhabits Northern Africa and the
South of Europe, especially Malta, Sicily, and probably part of
Western Asia.

The Black Partridge frequents, by preference, grass meadows
near water, also cultivated fields of com, mustard or pulse, and
any patch of moderately high, green herbage, also occasionally
jhow jungle ; and it is not unfrequently flushed in moderately
long grass interspersed with bushes, even at some little distance
from water. It never associates in regular coveys, though several
may be flushed not far from each other ; and, indeed, it is generally
to be found in pairs at all seasons.

From January to August, the call of the Cock-bird may be
heard, a harsh sort of cry which has been variously rendered
by sounds in different languages; but these imitations, though
intelligible to those who have heard the call, fail to give any-
thing like a correct idea to a person who has not had the
opportunity of hearing it. The Mussulmans say that it repeats
the pious words, * Sobhan teri kudrut / others say it calls out
* Lussun, piaz, udnJc^^ or garlic, onions, ginger. Adams sylla-
bizes it as ' Lohee'uha'icMch'a-whick\ and some one else puts it
as 'jiik-jakj tee-teetur.' One writer calls it like tlic harsh grating

k

74 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

blast of a cracked trumpet ; but it is far from being a loud calif
though sufficiently audible for a great distance. This call is
almost always uttered from. a slight eminence, a bank, ant hill,
or clump of earthy and where it abounds, answering cries may be
heard from all sides. It generally calls much after rain, or after
a heavy dew.

The hen Partridge breeds from May to July, laying ten or
twelve eggs (sometimes, it is stated, as many as fifteen) of a
pale bluish white colour, according to some writers, but those
I have seen were pale greenish, when first laid ; and she usually
has her nest in the grass, sometimes in an Indigo field, and
occasionally in a Sugar-cane field.

In the cold weather, after the young have fiown and separated
from their parents, they may be found scattered over a greater
expanse of country than in the hot weather and rains, and are
often to be found in fields far from water. This Partridge is
stated occasionally to perch on and to roost on trees, but this
is certainly a rare habit with this species, though not uncommon
with the Painted Partridge.

The Black Partridge is strong on the wing, but flies steadily and
affords a fair shot Its pursuit is a favorite sport in many parts of
the country where it is at all abundant It is stated in the Bengal
Sporting Magazine^ for 1841, that seventy-five brace have been
bagged in one day by one gun, near Kurnal in the Upper Provinces,
but it is now everywhere more scarce than it used to be formerly.
It is tolerably good eating, especially when kept for a few days and
eaten cold. In some parts of the country tippets used to "Toe made
of the beautiful black, white-spotted feathers of the lower plumage,
and were in much request, but they are rarely procurable now.

21. Francolinns pictus, Jard. and Selbt.

Perdix, apud Jabdine and Sblby, 111. Orn. pi. 50 — Blytit,
Cat 158— Sykes, Cat 158— Jeudon, Cat. 272— Kala-titar, H.
and Mahr. — Kakkera kodi, Tel.

The Painted Partridge.
Descr, — Forehead, lores, face, broad supercilium, and ear-coverts,
f crruginous-chesnut ; the top of the head dark brown with pale

PAINTED PARTRIDGE. 75

edgings ; the neck all round pale ferruginous ; the upper part
of the back and scapulars deep brown, the feathers ed<»ed
laterally with creamy white, and this gradually passing into
the markings of the wings, which are chesnut with black bands ;
the lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts are beautifully
marked with undulating lines of black and white; tail deep
brown, the feathers finely cross-barred at their base ; beneath,
the throat is white, with longitudinal dark lines ; the whole of
the rest of the lower surface variegated black and white, each
feather being white, with two dark cross-bands, and the shaft and
tip black ; these dark bands gradually narrow towards the vent ;
under taiUcoverts chesnut, the feathers of the flanks and sides of
the rump are tinged with pale ferruginous.

Bill blackish; irides dark brown; legs yellow red. Length 12
inches ; wing 6 ; tail 2| ; tarsus 1|. Weight 11 to 13 oz.

The female differs in having a somewhat ferruginous tinge
beneath, and in the throat being more or less rufous.

The Painted Partridge may be said to take the place of the
Black in Central and part of Southern India. It is found
throughout Bundelkund and the Saugor and Nerbudda territories:,
and thence south through Nagpore and the Deccan, to about N.
L. 15^ gradually becoming more scarce southwards, I have
heard of its occasional occurrence near Bangalore still further
south, but where the land is higher and the climate cooler. West>
it extends into Candeish, and perhaps Guzerat, but is not known
on the Malabar Coast; and eastwards, it is found throughout
Ohota Nagpore and adjacent lands to the more open parts of the
Northern Circars, as far as Cuttack, but far more rare there than
in the west of the Peninsula. I have found it most abundant in
the Deccan near Jalna, and at Mhow ; less so in Saugor, Nagpore
and Hyderabad.

Like its northern congener, it delights in grassy plains and
fields, but more afiects open, dry, and raised plains with scattered
bushes, than the low-lying, damper meadows that the Black
delights in. It is always, when the grain is ripe, as well as at
other times not unfrequently, to be found in wheat fields and other
cultivated lands, and occasionally in open and grassy glades in

76 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

the midst of thin forest jungle. It chiefly occurs in pairs, now
and then several, not far from each other. Early in the morning,
the cock-bird may be heard uttering his peculiar guttural
call or broken crow, Chee-kee-kerrai/ — C/iee-kee-kerray, which
can be heard a very long way off, though by no means loud, and is
answered on all sides. On approaching the spot whence the sound
proceeds^ if carefully looked for, he may be seen seated on
the stump of a tree, or a thick bush, or an ant-hill or other elevated
spot; but when he finds himself discovered, he slinks down,
and runs off in a way that puzzles dogs much.

The female breeds from June to August, laying seven or eight
eggs of a creamy or smoky white, generally near the shelter of some
bush. ^* The poults, " remarks a writer in the Bengal Sporting
Review^ "begin to call soon and chirrup like Crickets." When the
grass is not too high, the Painted Partridge affords very fair
shooting with a steady pointer, as also in the wheat fields in
November and December, when the birds have scattered. I have
seen this bird perch on a low tree, but very rarely, and only
when disturbed by a dog ; certainly not so commonly as is implied
by a writer in the Bengal Sporting Magazine for 1841. I'his
Partridge is very fair eating, especially when kept long enough
and eaten cold.

francolinus Phayrei, Blyth, (if distinct from F. pintadeue) is
common in all upper Burmah as at Thyet-Myo, and has a very
similar call to the Painted Partridge, but is more given to frequent
grassy spots among jungle. Tetrao jnntadene^ Scopoli, ( perlatus,
Temm.) from China, has been separated by Beichenbach as
Margaroperdix, but on what grounds it would be difficult to say.

2nd, — ^Rock or Sand Partridges.
Gen. Cagoabis, Eaup.
83^1. Perdixy Bonap. — Chacura, Hodgson, postea Pyctes.
Clmr. — Bill somewhat lengthened, stout, red ; tarsi of male
with a blunt spur, red; tail of twelve or fourteen feathers,
not quite concealed by the upper tail-coverts ; a small nude patch
behind the eye ; plumage not mottled.

The Red-legged Partridges form a well marked group, spread
over the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Western and

CHUKOR PARTRIDGE. 77

Central Asia, and the north of Africa, including Madeira and
the Canary islands. They are well characterized by a plain
unmottled plumage with some rich bands on the flanks, and, as
Blyth remarks, they have the desert*coloring in some degree.
They affect rocky and hilly ground, in preference to cultivated
lands, and associate more or less in coveys. Gray makes a sub-
family CaecabincB of this and Atnmoperdix^ but rather strangely
joins with them Tetraogallua and Lerwa. Bonaparte retains the
generic name of Perdix for this genus, as it was undoubtedly
the Perdix of the Ancients.

22. Caccabis chukor, Grat.

Perdix, apud Gray, Hardw., 111. Ind. Zool. 1. pi. 54 — Blyth,
Cat. 1503 — Gould, Cent. Ilim. Birds, pi. 71 — P. groeca, var, of
several authors — Chukor, H.

The Chukob Partridge.

Descr. — Plumage above pale bluish or olive ashy, washed with
a rufous tinge ; lores black, and a white band behind the eye ;
ear-coverts rafous ; wings reddish ashy, the coverts tipped with
buff, and the primaries narrowly edged with the same ; tail ashy
on the central feathers, the laterals tinged with rufous ; face, chin,
and throat, fulvous or rufous, surrounded by a black band which
begins at the eye, and forms a sort of neck-lace round the throat ;
below this the neck and breast are ashy, changing to buff on the
abdomen and under tail-coverts ; flanks of the breast and belly
beautifully banded, each feather being ashy at the base, with
two large black bands, the terminal one tipped with fine maronne,
and the space between the bands creamy white.

Bill red ; irides yellowish white ; legs and feet red. Length
15 to 16 Inches ; extent 24 ; wing 6f ; tail 3^ ; tarsus 1| ; bill
at front 1 ; weight 18 oz. to IJ lb.

The female closely resembles the male^ but is slightly smaller,
and wants the spurs.

This fine Partridge is so very closely allied to Caccabia graea
of the South of Europe, Africa, and Western Asia, that it has
been considered to be a climatic variety of that species, but most
sjstematists keep it distinct. It appears to differ in the less ashy

Y8 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

tint of tlie European bird, which moreover appears to have the
dark collar of greater extent, and in our bird having the chin and
throat always more or less rufous.

The Chukor is found throughout the Western Himalayas, from
the lowest range to the Snows, and passing over into Thibet, but
it does not extend so far east as Sikim. It is also met with in the
salt range of the Punjab, and its more alpine regions, passing into
Affghanistan. It prefers bare and rocky hills with low scrab or
jungle, near cultivation.

'* In our part of the hills" says Mountaineer (i. e. in the North-
western Himalayas) " the Chuckore is most numerous in the
highei inhabited districts, but is found scattered over all the lower
and middle ranges. In summer they spread themselves over
the grassy hills to breed, and about the middle of September
begin to assemble in and around the cultivated fields near the
villages, gleaning at first in the grain fields which have been
reaped, and afterwards during winter in those which have been
sowii with wheat and barley for the ensuing season, preferring
the wheat. A few straggling parties remain on the hill sides
where they breed, as also in summer many remain to perform
the business of incubation in the fields. In autumn and winter
they keep in loose scattered flocks, very numerous, sometimes
to the number of forty or fifty, and even a hundred. In summer,
though not entirely separated^ they are seldom in large flocks,
and a single pair is often met with. They are partial to dry
stony spots, never go into forest^ and in the lower hills seem to
prefer the grassy hill sides to the cultivated fields. This may
probably be owing to their comparatively fewer numbers, as I
have observed that many others of the feathered race are much
shyer and more suspicious of man when rare, than those of the
same species in places more numerous. Their call is a kind of
chuckling, often continued for some time and by a great many
birds at once. It is uttered indiscriminately at various intervals
of the day, but most generally towards evening.

" The Chuckore feeds on grain^ roots, seeds, and berries ; when
caught youngs it becomes quite tame^ and will associate readily
with domestic poultry.

CHUKOR PARTRIDGE. 7^

" From the beginning of October, Chuckore shooting, from the
frequency and variety of the shots^ and the small amount of
fatigue attending it, is to one partial to such sport perhaps the most
pleasant of any thing of the kind in the hills. About some of
the higher villages, ten or a dozen brace may be bagged in a few
hours. Dogs may be used or not at the discretion of the Sports-
man ; they are not at all necessary, and if at all wild are more in
the way than otherwise."

**The male," says Major Brown,* **is very bold, and is tamed
for the purpose of fighting. In a domesticated state, he makes
no hesitation in offering battle to every animal, and pecks very
fiercely, always searching for a tender part ; the nose of a dog,
or the naked feet of the native servants immediately attract his
attention, and he soon makes the object of his attack fain to run."
** When reclaimed" says another writer in the same periodical
" this bird is peculiarly bold, fearless, and entertaining. It trots
about the house, and is as familiar as a little do<;. It is amusincr
to see its antipathy to quick motions in others. It will follow a
servant who hurries into a room, pecking at his heels, scouring
away when he attempts to turn upon it. It is still more perse-
vering against the poor wight who moves backwards and for-
wards as he pulls the punkah. Half asleep at his task, he is
roused by a fierce attack on his legs. He attempts to continue
his work, and at the same time to drive away the intruder, but
it is of no use ; and he is at last obliged to call for assistance
to rid him of his persecutor."

The Hen-chukor lays from eight to fifteen eggs, of a creamy
white, according to one writer ; pure white according to Adams ;
and the male bird is said to remain near the nest during incubation,
and may be heard calling all day, its call much resembling that
of the domestic hen, being a ' ctic-cuc^ often repeated, and the
Cashmeeres call it hau-kau from its cry. The Affghans call it
the Fire-eater. It is considered to be excellent eating. In
Ladak it is said to be numerous in the cultivated part of the
country, and is there called Nek-pa,

• Beng. Si»ort. Mag.

80 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Caccabis rufa^ the Eed-legged Partridge of France and Western
Europe, has been partly naturalized in England, and drives away
the common Partridge. C. petrosa has been unnecessarily separated
by Kaup as Alecioris.

Close to the red-legged Partridges come the Sand-partridges.

Gen. Ammopicrdix.

Char. — Of small size ; bill somewhat lengthened, red ; wings
long ; tarsus wliolly devoid of a spur or even of a knob. Other-
wise as in Caccabis,

The Sand-partridges may be said to be simply dwarf Chukors,
to which they are allied in color, habits, and geographical distribu-
tion. Only two species are known, both found in Western Asia,
one of which extends into the North-western limits of our region.

23. Ammoperdix Bonhami, Gray.

Perdix, apud Grat, P. Z. S., — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt III.,
pi. 4 — figured Beng. Sport. Mag. 1843 — P. griaeogidaris, Brandt.
— Sisty H. in the Punjab.

The Sbesbe Partridge.

Descr, — Male, above pale Isabella brownish, finely freckled
with dusky ; the crown of the head and cheeks grey ; forehead
and a narrow line over the eye black ; lores and ear-coverts silky
white, rufous posteriorly ; beneath this a narrow black line ; rump
and upper tail-coverts much speckled with black ; primaries dusky
within, isabella brown on the outer webs, with dusky pencillings,
and all but the first, barred on their outer webs with whitish ;
tail chesnut brown, paler at the tip, and freckled with black ;
beneath, the throat is greyish white, the breast delicate grey, and
the sides of the neck grey with numerous white spots, and a few
black specks ; breast pale rufous isabelline or vinaceous ; the fea-
thers of the flanks whitish tinged with vinaceous, and dashed
with rufous and dark brown ; lower tail-coverts pale chesnut.

Bill fleshy, (brownish yellow according to Adams) ; irides hazel
brown ; legs and feet olive yellow. Length 10 inches ; wing 5 ;
tail 2^ ; tarsus 1| ; bill at front f .

The female differs, according to Gould, in having the black
markings of the head replaced by freckled black and white ; the

r

8ECSEE PABTRIDOC. 81

general colour more grey and the wings more freckled. According
to Blyth, she wants the ashy crown of the male, and is minutely
mottled all over, both above and beneath.

This small species of Partridge was named almost simultane-
ously by Gray and Eraser after the first gentleman who had sent
specimens to Europe. It is closely related to A. Ileyi^ but is
somewhat larger, and that species wants the white spots on the
sides of the neck. The females are said to resemble each other
very closely. One point of difference of the two species men-
tioned by Gould, vt?., the colour of the legs, is contradicted by
Adams, who says that the color of the legs of Bunhami is u
* lighter brownish yellow than the bill'

The Seesee, as this small Partridge is named, is only found in
the Punjab, in the Salt range of hills, more abundant across
the Indus on the Suleiman range, near Attock, and in the Khyber
and Bolan passes ; and it is still mote common in Afghanistan
and Persia, wiience the original specimens were sent. It is there
called Tee-/ioo. Gould states that it was also brought from Thibet
by Lord GifFord. Adams says that it is not found furthef south
than the Salt range ; but a writer in the Bengal Sporting Review^
on the game of Sindh, distinctly indicates it under the name of the
fiock or Barbary Partridge as found across the Indus. It fre-
quents rocky ground with brushwood here and there, and is often
seen in company with the Chukor which it much resembles in
habits ; is found in coveys which when sprung rise with a startling
noise^ and feeds much on a kind of wild Thyme. The flesh is
said to be delicious.. The name Seesee is given from its call*
Tbeobold found the eggs, twelve in number, of a clear cream
colour, laid in a slight hollow among stones in the hills.

The other species, A . Hejfiy is also figured by Gould, in Birds
of Asia, pt. III., pi. 5. It is found in Western Asia, Palestine,
Arabia, &c.

8rd. — Grey or Bush Partridges.

The Grey Partridges of India come under this head ; they are
somewhat similar in coloring to the English Partridge^ but difier
in being strongly spurred.

i

83 GAME BIRDS OP INDIA.

Gen. Orttqornis, Reidienbach.

Syn. Plecttoperdix^ Blytb.

Char. — Bill lengthened, tip well turned over; legs red, with
one strong and sharp spur, occasionally two ; tul rather shorty of
twelve feathers, wings moderate.

This form, as far as we know at present, is peculiar to the
Indian contiQent, but some of the African Partridges appear
nearly allied to it Only two species are known, very similarly
coloured above, but differing greatly in size and haunts. They
are bold birds, of truly perdicine habits, having a great
tendency to form coveys ; but they run much and very rapidly,
and frequently perch, as well on bushes and low trees, as on
high reeds, •

24. Ortygornis Ponticerianai Gmblin,

Tetrao apud Ghblin— Sykgs, Cat 159 — Jeudon, Cat 273 —
Blyth, Cat 1506 — Perdix orientalis. Gray— HaHdwicke, III.
Ind. Zool. 1. pL 56, f. 2 — Titar^ H. — Gora JLitar of some —
Kawunzu, Tel. — Koudari^ Tarn.

Th£ Grey Partridge.

Descr, — Head above olive brown, rufous on the forehead, over
the eyes, and on the nape ; lores and face also rufous, with black
specks ; ear-coverts silky hair-brown ; upper plumage, including
the wing-coverts, upper tail-coverts and central tail-feathers,
speckled brown, each feather being rich red brown with three bars
of creamy yellow, and paler and somewhat olive brown at thq
tip ; primaries pale brown ; outer tail-feathers rich chesnut
brown, with a dusky brown terminal band, pale tipped ; beneath
the chin and throat are whitish with small dark brown spots,^
forming a triangular mark ; the rest of the lower plumage ochreous
white or creamy, most pronounced on the breast, and with
numerous minute cross-bars of brown, somewhat broader on the
breast and sides of the neck, where it mingles with the upper
plumage ; lower tail-coverta ferruginous.

Bill dusky plumbeous ; irides hazel brown ; legs dull red.
Length about 12^ to 13 inches , wing 5 ; tail 3^ ; tarsus not (][uite
2 ; weight 11 to 12 oz.

OREY PARTBIDOfe 83

•

The male is strongly spurred, generally only one spur on each
leg, occasionally two, the second at the base of the first Females
only differ in not being spurred, and in being a trifle smaller.
Young birds have the chin and throat strongly tinged with
folvous.

The Grey Partridge is found throughout the greater part
ei India, but not frequenting mountainous or forest-clad dis-
tricts, and it is totally wanting throughout the Malabar Coast,
as far at all events as N. L. l?"* — 18^ It is also very rarely met
with north of the Ganges, although recorded as a bird of Nepal
by Hodgson, and it is replaced generally in Bengal by the ne:tt
species. It is not known in Assam nor in any of the countries
to the Eastward. Westward it is very abundant in Sindh, and
some parts of the Punjab, and it is stated to occur in Persia,
as Mr. Blyth informed me, where known as ' JiruftiJ

It frequents alike bush-jungle, and cultivated lands, being often
found in gardens and compounds ; and very generally near villages,
concealing itself in hedge-rows and thickets. It associates in
coveys of varied number, from five to fifteen, is often very
difficult to flush, running for a great distance, and with
amazing speed, and taking refuge in thick bushes and hedges,
whence driven with difficulty. When flushed, it rises with a;
loud whirr, flies very strongly, but does not take long flights.
It frequently perches on low trees and shrubs, and on the branches
of thick Euphorbia hedges. Its call is a peculiar loud shrill cry,
and has, not unaptly, been compared to the word Pateela'paieela-
pateeloy quickly repeated, bat preceded by a single note uttered
two or three times, each time witli a higher intonation, till it
gets, as it were, the key note of its call.

This Partridge breeds, chiefly in the dry weather, from February
to May or June, the hen-bird laying usually eight or ten eggs, of
a cream or stone colour, under a hedge-row or thick bush. One
writer in the Bengal Sport Ret^^w says, from- twelve to eighteen
eggs, greyish speckled with red and brown. It occasionally,
it is stated, breeds in grain fields, and many nests are said to be
destroyed in reaping the crops. *' The young," says the same writer,
** soon got strong on the wing, and attempt to call when only five

84 GAME Biai>S OP INDIA.

days old." In flight this bird is not unlike the English Partridge,
and I have known many sportsmen who considered them to be the
8ame1>ird. It is considered to be a stronger flying bird, and to be
more difficult to bring down.

Though generally dispersed throughout the country, they are .
seldom so plentiful as to induce Sportsmen to go out after them
alone^ but a few generally form part of the bag after a day's
shooting in Southern and Western India. " I have found Greys
with my pointers*' remarks a writer in the Beng, Sport Mag,
(XIV. 90) "always in a steady way, but subject of course to the
peculiar habit of that skulking, running bird ; fond of bushes, and
strong on the leg, they will walk or dodge before the dogs and
sportsmen in a tiresome way, tantalizing and trying to the temper
of both man and beast ; still the dogs will be staunch to their trail,
drawing on them, and standing until they are sprung." It is not,
in general, considered good eating, being usually dry and insipid.
One writer, however, in the above quoted Periodical, says, " In .
this respect it has not had justice, being, in October and November
superior to our Black Partridge, but in this country game is so
much spoiled in cooking that there is no knowing what to make of
it, as it is invariably roasted as dry as a stick." The best way of
cooking dry game in this country is the Gypsy or Mexican fashion
of enclosing it in a lump of good fire-clay, and roasting it in
the flre. Birds (and hares) otherwise dry and insipid, come out
of their case juicy and tasty.

When not disturbed much, and near villages, the Grey Partridge
is by no means a shy bird. It is easily tamed, and may be
brought to follow lus owner about like a dog, even through a
crowded street. It is very commonly kept by Mussulmans in small
cages, sometimes for fighting, as it is highly pugnacious, and
fights with great spirit and obstinacy. Partridges with double
spurs are esteemed the most for fighting. It will readily utter its
call when spoken to, and is generally liberated on a grass plain
for a run every morning, returning to its cage when called upon.
It is also used as a decoy for wild birds, a tame bird being put
down near a covey and made to call, when he is invariably met by
a cock- bird, and a battle ensues. The Bird-catcher approaches

KTAH FABTIIIDGE. 85

cautiously and seizes the wild bird as it is heedlessly engaged iu '
the fight.

This Partridge feeds on grain and seeds of all kinds, and is
very partial to small grasshoppers, white ants and other insects. It
is often accused of being a dirty feeder when living near villages, >
but I am inclined to think unjustly.

25. Ortygornis gnlaris, Temminck.

Perdix, apud Tbmminck — ^Blyth, Cat. 1505— Habdwicke,
111. Ind. Zool. 1. pi. 56, f. 1.— jfi^r, or Kyah or Kaijahj H.
— occasionally Ban-tiiary *• Ghikore' or *' Bengal Chikore' of
sportsmen in Bengal.

The Ktah Fartridqe.

Dfier.— Top of the head olive-brown ; supercilium, lores, and
a streak below the eye, pale buff or fulvous, and a dusky line *
passes through the eyes to the upper part of the ear-coverts ;
upper plumage brown, barred with narrow cross streaks of whitish
or fulvous, edged black, and the shafts of the feathers mostly
white, except those of the hinder part of the back and rump ;
primaries plain brown externally, passing to ferruginous brown
within; tail ferruginous except the central feathers; beneath,
the chin and throat are bright ferruginous brown ; the rest of the
lower plumage, with the sides of the neck, are brown, with white
streaks, edged by black, which on the breast and belly become
large dashes or blotches, giving a handsome character to the
plumage ; lower tail-coverts ferruginous, and the under surface of
the wings mostly ferruginous also.

Bill blackish ; irides dark brown ; legs dull red. Length 15
inches ; extent 22 ; wing 6} ; tail 4 ; bill at front nearly 1 ;
tarsus 2^ ; weight 17 oz. to 1 lb. 6 oz.

The male is furnished with a strong and sharp spur, \ inch
long. The female is a trifle smaller, and wants the spur. Length
13^ to 14 inches.

This fine bird in its upper plumage, very closely resembles the '
common Grey Partridge, but the lower surface is very different,

86 GAME BIRDS OF IKDIA.

being longitudinally dashed with white instead of narrowly barred ;
it is nearly double the size, and has very different distribution and
haunts.

'J'lie Kyah Partridge b found throughout Bengal, from Tirhoot
and Goruckpoor to the Sunderbuns, and extending eastwards
into Assam, Sylhet, Cachar and Tipperah. South of this it is
not recorded, but it may occur in Chittagong. In the Western
Provinces of Bengal, it is chiefly found on the north bank of the
Ganges, crossing in a few suitable localities from Monghyr to
Bajmahal, and also found between the Bhagirutty and the Ganges;
but not extending to Kishnagur, it is said, nor to the vicinity of
Calcutta. It is stated diat it used to be found along the banker
of the Roopnarain River^ but is so no longer.- It is found up to
the base of the Himalayas, and I have heard of its occurring in
the Oude Terai, but it apparently does not go further west.

The favorite grounds for this Partridge are thick beds of reeds
and long grass along the banks of rivers, jheels, and water-courses ;
and especially in those swampy patches of reeds where the creep-
ing Bose-bushes form thickets impenetrable to aught but an
Elephant, though hardly " frequenting swampy churs and reedy
waters^ the same as the Bittern, Snipe and Heron*' as one writer
states* *' The strongest depths" says a writer in tlie Beng. Sport,
Mag. '^ whether in patches, or in continuous^ wavy, thick grass,
or seas of jungle hold them." If cultivated land be near, so
much the better, for this Partridge loves to feed on open patches of
Mustard, Dhal and other pulses, and indeed during the cold weather
may frequently be found in the fields at all hours of the day*
Occasionally it resorts to dry grassy plains with scattered bushes^
but much more generally grassy churs near water. During
the rains, and when some of its usual haunts are flooded, it betakes
itself to the fields, hedgerows and bush jungle, and at this time
affords good sport even to the Sportsman on foot ; and, in some
localities when floodedi the Kyah may be seen flying from tree
to tree.

This Partridge is generally, except when breeding, met with in
somewhat scattered coveys, which rise three or four at a time with
a cackling scream ; they fly strong and straight with outstretched

KTAH PARTftlBGIL 87

neck, jseldom goin^ to any distance, but dropping into some thick
covert, and thence often dislodged with difficulty ; for it runs much,
even among the thick reeds. It very generally, however, especir
ally in swampy thickets, perches on the high reods, and generally
roosts there.

The call of the Kyah is quite similar in character to that of
the Grey Partridge, though in a somewhat different tone, and
not uttered so hurriedly, and the preliminary chuck is exactly that
of its congener. It is one of the earliest birds astir, crowing at
day-light, as weU as frequently also during the day.

The Kyah breeds early in the spring, in some localities, at all
events, from. March to May, and at this lime is very difficult to
put up ; indeed, I have seen an Elephant almos^break down a
bush before the Partridge would rise. The eggs are said to be
laid under some thick bush, in a dry spot, and to be white like
those of the Grey Partridge. It is a very quarrelsome bird, fight-
ing much with his own species, and one writer states that ^ the
scars of former fights disfigure the breasts of almost every bird
you kilL" It drives off the Black Partridge if it comes across it.

Shooting the Eyah is, in many parts of the country, only possible
on Elephants, as the high grass and reed jungles it firequents are
impenetrable to man or dog; and moreover Tigers are occasionally,
found in the heavy jungles they frequent. But where the patches
of reeds and rose bushes are thinner, and of small extent, and
with fields and moderately high grass at hand, the sportsman may
manage to get a good many shots if aided by a few strong and
determined beaters and a good spaniel. Early in the morning,
too, by walking down the reedy bank of a jheel or river, bordered
by fields, and having a beater or two, with a good dog, you will get
several shots as the birds fly across you into their cover. ''The
scent of thb bird" says a writer in the B^ng. Sport. Mag, *Ms
most gratefully warm to pointers. My dogs would stand to the
dead birds as staunchly as to the living ones."

The flesh is excellent if kept, though somewhat more dry than an
English Partridge. The same writer abov« quoted says : *' Of all
the game birds of India known to me, cold roast Chikore, in my
opinion, bears away the palm foi: delicacy of flavour and texture in

r

\

88 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

the meat. During the months of November and December, it
forms an unrivalled dish for the Epicure in gamey flavour, and
an additional inducement to the sportsman to fag and find."

This Partridge has had the name of Chick&re erroneously applied
to it by sportsmen in Bengal, and various writers in the Indian
Sporting Magazines have kept up the error. Thus it is well figured
by George Trigger as the C/dckore ; and previously a group of them
as the Camnuni Chickare ; and one sportsman, on reading a correct
statement that the Chiekore Partridge is only found in the
Himalayas, immediately publishes an article, stating that the
writer was perfectly mistaken as to the Chickare being found only
in the hills; for, that he has shot many near Sajmahal, and
elsewhere, he Jiimself having been deceived by the name popular-
ly applied to this Partndge. A bad figure of it is elsewhere given
as the Wood Partridge of Bengal, also a misnomer. No native
ever applies the name of * Chiekore* to this bird, and it is to
be hoped sportsmen will give up applying this name to it,
both as being perfectly erroneous, and as misleading naturalists
and others.

The Kyah is easily reconciled to confinement, even when taken
old, and eats greedily of almost every thing, but having a special
, preference for white ants. ** They are" says the same writer pre-
viously quoted, " the most restless creatures imaginable, always on
the move and trying to get out at any cranny and bar of the cage.
Those which I had, called regularly at day break, sometimes in the
afternoon, and in the middle of the night, when there was bright
moonlight, and I have heard the wild ones answer them in the
night from the borders of the jungle."

Probably not far from this group should come the Malayan
Ehizoihera^ founded on the Perdix longiroetria of Temminck.
In habits it is said to resemble the Francolins, not associating in
coveys. Both sexes are spurred.

The true Partridges, Perdix of most authors, {Stama of Bona-
parte) are not represented in India, but one species occurs on its
northern confines, in Thibet, Perdix Hodgsonim^ Gould, made the
type of the genus Sacfa by Hodgson. It is figured by Gould in the
Birds of Asia, pt. IX., pi. 2, and appears to be quite of the same

KTAH PARTRIDGE. 89

type as the trne Perdia of Europe^ being without any indication
of a tarsal spur. It has been lately shot by several sportsmen,
Captain SmytLe, Lt. Forbes, and others, who have sent specimens
to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta; but I am not aware of its
having been killed on this side of the Himalayas, so shall not
include it in the ' Birds of India.* I add a brief description.
I'he upper plunxage is olive brown, the lower parts buff; it has
a good deal of chesnut red on the sides and back of the neck
and wings ; the head is red, with white specks, and there is a black
line from the forehead round the ear-coverts and throat A belt
of black-edged feathers on the upper part of the belly represents
the horse-shoe marks of the English Partridge. Length 13 inches;
wing 6 ; tail 3^.

Perdix cinerea, the English Partridge, has eighteen tul-feathers ;
it chiefly affects cultivated lands, and is found over all Europe
and Western Asia as far north as Siberia. It always associates
in coveys, which in winter occasionally collect into packs of several
coveys.

The African Partridges are very numerous. They form several
groups, two of them, Plemestea and Clamator, of great size, and
sometimes called Pheasants by colonists at the Cape and elsewhere.
Some of these extend into Arabia, and travellers there have also
called them Pheasants and Jungle*fowl. Blyth indeed is inclined
to consider them * Pheasants with Partridge tails,' but this I
cannot agree to. They are mostly devoid of spurs, but some,
called Francolins by Dr. A. Smith, have large and even double
spurs, Clujetopm and Seleroptila of modern ornithologists.

4th, Wood-partridges.
Gen. Arborigola, Hodgson.

Syn. Arhorophila^ Hodgson.

Char. — ^Tarsus not spurred ; toes long, with long claws; tail of
twelve feathers, short, of rather soft texture.

The Hill-paitridges or Green-partridges as they are sometimes
called, occur throughout the Himalayas, but are found nowhere
else in India proper. They extend into the hilly regions of Assam
and the Burmese provinces, as far, at all events, as Tenasserim

m

90 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

and south of this they are replaced by one or more nearly affined
genera. They are of rather small size and plump form^ and are
the most forest-loving of the family ; being only found in dense
forests in mountainous districts, or in thick scrub ; they live in
coveys, and have a whistling call. The sexes differ slightly in
plumage, in some of the species at all events.
There are two species within our limits.

26. Arboricola torqueola, Valenciennes.

Perdix, apud Valenciennes — BLYTH,Cat. 1510— P. megapodia
Temminck, pi. col. 462, 463— P. olivacea, Gray — Hardwicke
lU. Ind. Zool. 1, pi. 57 — Bon titar, and Peura, H. Phokras in
some parts of the North- West Himalayas — Kohempho, Lepch. —
Kangkontj Bhot.

The Black-throated Hill-pabtrtdgb.

Descr. — Male, crown of head and ear-coverts ferruginous, passing
down the sides and nape of the neck ; lores and supercilia black, the
latter bordered by a narrow white line ; shoulders, back and rump
olive with dusky lunules, deepening to black spots on the rump ;
wing-coverts mixed olive and chesnut, with a few large black
spots ; chin and throat black, the outer feathers white -margined ;
the neck and upper part of breast bright olive, with a circle or
torque of white below the black throat ; the lower breast and
belly whitish ; the flanks olive, broadly dashed with chesnut and
with large white spots ; tail olive, black-speckled, and a terminal
dark bar.

Bill black; irides deep brown; legs red. Length 10^ to 11
inches ; extent 18 ; wing 5^ ; tail 2^ ; tarsus 1|. Weight 8 oz.

The female has the head and neck olive with black speckles ;
the chin, throat, and sides of the neck light chesnut^ with black
marks ; the neck and breast olive with a chesnut gorget ; the rest
as in the male.

This pretty Partridge is found throughout the Himalayas, from
Simla to Darjeeling. In Sikim it is found from about 6,000 to
9,000 feet, and is often taken in winter by imitating its whistling
call. The female is figured in the Bengal Sporting Magazine under
the name of the Phohrae.

RUFOUS-THROATED HILL-PARTRIDQE. 91

"This handsome little Partridge," says Mountaineer, "inhabits the
forests and jungles, and is never found in open spots or the culti-
vated fields. It is most numerous on the lower ranges,in the wooded
ravines and hill sides from the summit to near the base, but does
not occur at the foot of the hills or low down in the valleys. It
is not so common in the interior, but met with to an elevation of
about 9,000 feet. It is rather solitary in its habits, generally
found in pairs, but occasionally, in autumn and winter, five or
six will collect together, and keep about one spot. It is a quiet
unsuspicious bird ; when alarmed it utters a soft whistle, and
generally creeps away through the underwood if not closely
pressed, in preference to getting up. Its fliiiht is rapid, oftener
across the hill than downwards, and seldom very far, in general
not more than 80 or 100 yards. Its food being much similar, it
is met with in the same places as the Coklass Pheasant, and both
are often found together. Indeed, in winter, in some of the forests
of the interior, Argus, Moonall, Coklass, and Kalleege Pheasant,
and the Hill partridge are sometimes all found within a compass
of 50 or 60 yards. I have not seen the nest or eggs. It feeds
on leaves, roots, maggots, seeds, and berries ; in confinement it
will eat grain ; in a large cage or enclosure its motions are very
lively, running about with great sprightliness from one part to
another. It occasionally mounts into the trees, but not so often
as a forest bird might be expected to do. In the forests of the
interior, in spring, it is often heard calling at all hours of the day.
The call is a single loud soft whistle, and may be easily imitated
so as to entice the birds quite close. At other seasons it is never
heard to call except when distuibed."

27. Arboricola rufogularis, Blyth.

J. A.S. XVIII. 819— Blyth, Cat loll—Kohom-but-pho, Lepch.
— LaJcom, Bhot.

The Rdfous-^throated Hill-partribob.

Descr. — Male, as in the last species, but the black undulations

on the back are generally almost obsolete ; it has the red head of

the last, but the throat, front, and sides of the neck are deep

ferruginous, with some small black specks on the throat, and a black

92 GAME BIBDS OF INDIA.

torque or collar separating the ferraginous sharply from the purer
ashy of the breast ; an ill defined whitish streak with black specks
on each side of the throat, and similar but more rufescentsupercilia.

Bill black ; irides red brown ; orbits dull lake red ; legs red.
Length 10^ to 11 inches ; extent 19 ; wing 5^ ; tail 2 ; tarsus 1 j.

The female has the dusky bars and undulations well developed,
and the throat is more ferruginous than the female of the last, but
otherwise there is little difference.

The rufous-throated Hill-partridge was discriminated by BIyth
from specimens sent from Darjeeling, and we are ignorant of
its range west of Sikim. It probably, however, extends into
several of the hill ranges of Assam and Sylhet, for I procured it on
the Rhasia Hills. Its habits, voice, &c., are very similar to those of
the previous species, from which it is not generally distinguished,
but the natives of Sikim discriminate them, and have different
names for them. The present species is found at lower altitudes
than the former one, occurring chiefly from 8,000 to 6,000 feet of
elevation, or rather more. Neither of these Partridges are readily
obtainable by the sportsman at Darjeeling, owing to the density
of the forest. Now and then dogs will put up a covey at which a
chance shot may be had ; but in general they can be best pro-
cured by imitating their whistle, and thus decoying them within
short range of the gunner.

Arboricola atrofftilaria, Blyth, is very closely allied to A. tor'
qiieolaj but differs in the male not having a chesnut head. It
appears to be P. olivacsa of Buch. Hamiltpi^, and is found in the
Tipperah Hills and Chittagong. A. intermedia^ Blyth, occurs in
Arrakan; and A, brunneo^pectuSf Tickell, is f rom Tenasserim. This
species has the wings strongly marked with chesnut. One species,
A. sphenura is stated to occur in China. To the same group belong
Perdue personata, Horsfield, and P. jaoanica^ Gmelin, both from
Java. Peloperdix^ Blyth, founded on Perdix charltoni of Penang,
is a distinct though affined form; and it appears to me that
P.punctulata^ Gray, figured in Hardwicke's 111. Ind. ZooL, is either
the same bird as P. charltoni^ or some nearly related species,
perhaps P. chloropus^ Blyth. Caloperdix, Blyth, founded on the
Tetrao ocellatusy Rafiies, ( Perdix ociilea, Temminck) is a verj^beauti-

RUFOUS-THROATED HILL-PARTRIDQE. 93

ful species, poorly figured in Hardwicke's Illustrations. This is
not unfrequently double spurred, and, says Blyth, displays unmis-
takeable affinities for Polyplectran and Galloperdix. It extends up
the Malayan Peninsula as high as Mergui. It appears to me that
Perdix thoracica, Temminck, supposed to be from the Philippine
Islands, is more allied 'to this group of Wood-partridges than to true
Perdix with which Blyth would class it. It has a larger and firmer
tail than Arboricola, and possesses spurs, which, however, are irre-
gular in number.

As a very anomalous form of spurless Partridges might here
be placed Rollulus (formerly CrypUmyx) coronattis^ the crowned
Partridge of Malacca, extending to Mergui, remarkable for
wanting the claw of the hind toe ; and It nigeVj (the female of
which is R. ferrugineus of Gray in Hardwicke's Illustration,)
the type of MeUmoperdix^ which possesses a minute hind claw.
Gray places these birds in a distinct sub-family {Rollulime^
Bonap.,) in which I think he is right ; indeed from their colora-
tion, the fan-like crest, and the difierent colour of the sexes,
they ought rather to be placed with the GoUiwc than with the
Partridges The crest is similar to that of the crowned pigeons,
Goura^ and the bare frontal plumes of RoUulua are only represented,
elsewhere, in this family, by some of the American Partridges.

5tA. Bush-quails.
The dwarf Partridges or Bush-quails, belong more strictly to
this sub-family than to that of the true Quails, though placed
among the latter by ^onaparte.

Gen. Perpicula, Hodgson.

Bengal Sporting Rtview, 1837, 1 p. 344.

Char, — Bill short, thick, well curved; tarsus with a blunt
tubercle; wings firm, much rounded, outer web of most of the pri-
maries sinuated and moderately firm ; tail short, of twelve feathers.
Of very small size. Sexes differ in plumage.

This genus is peculiar to India proper, not being found to the
east of the Bay of Bengal, nor, as far as we know^ across the
Indus. It is not very distantly removed from Perdix, and has
also some more remote analogies with the American Partridges.
The species are called Bush-quail by sportsmen, and are found either

94 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

in bushy ground or in thin forest jungle. Hodgson noted the firm
and quasi-spinous character of the plumage of the neck and breast.

28. Perdicula Cambayensis, Latham.

Perdix, apud Latham — Coturnix pentah, Sykes, Cat. 156 —
Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. 2, pi. 45 f. 3 — Zool. Trans. 2, pi. 3 —
O. argoondah, apud Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. XV., pi. 13* —
Jerdon, Cat. 278— Blyth, Cat. 1517 — P. rubicola, Hodgson
—P. rubiginosa, Valenc? Girza^ H. — GirzapUta^ TeL

The Jungle Bush-quail.

Male, above rich dark reddish brown, mottled with dull rufous;
a long yellowish or rufous white sup^rcilium^ narrowly edged
with black, and an indistinct pale line from the gape ; between
this and the supercilium rufous brown ; the shafts of the feathers
of the back of t^e neck and the back white ; many of the feathers
of the back with black markings ; and the scapulars and wing-
coverts richly marked on their inner webs with pale creamy white
and black ; primaries red-brown, with fulvous or tawny spots or
bars ; tail with a few black bars ; beneath, the chin is rich chesnut,
and the rest of the under surface white, tinged with rufescent on the
lower abdomen, flanks, vent and lower tail-coverts, with numerous
crossbars of blacky small on the throat and sides of neck, increasing
in size on the breast and abdomen, and disappearing towards the
vent. Bill dusky, with reddish tinge ; irides light brown ; legs
yellow-red. Length 6^ inches; wing 3^; tail 1| ; tarsus ly'^y.

The female has the lower plumage rufous, with whitish shafts
in some specimens^ and the black markings oF the upper plumage
less distinct ; the throat is generally darker rufous than the rest
of the lower plumage. In some specimens the rufous tinge is
more distinct above, and in others less so, and the brown has
more of a greyish tinge. The absence of the rich rufous throat in
many of Col. Sykes' specimens is probably a mark of immaturity.

This pretty little Bush-quail is extensively distributed through-
out India, and is found at all levels from the sea-coast to nearly
5,000 feet of elevation. In the south of India it is chiefly foUnd in
the more wooded districts in Malabar, Mysore, on the eastern

♦ Except the account uf its habita by Sykes aod Burgess which relates to the
next bird.

JUNGLE BUSn-QUATL. 95

Ghats, and on the various hill ranges, being rare in the low
Camatic and bare table-land. Colonel Sykes found it on the
higher ranges of the western Gh&ts at 4,000 feet, and it is found
throughout Central India as far as the northern slopes of the
Bajmahal, Monghyr and Mirzapore hills. It is not generally found
on the north bank of the Ganges, but Hodgson gives it as found in
the Sub-Himalayan zone ; and Adams says that it is found in the
valleys of the lower ranges of the Himalayas. It does not occur
in Lower Bengal, that I know of, nor in any of the countries east of
the Ganges, but it is said to be common in the N. W. Provinces.

I have very little doubt of its being Valenciennes' bird,
although Sykes is inclined to think it distinct, but the markings,
as described, are quite those of the present species and not
of the next Adams quotes it as Perd. AsiaticOj Latham, but
I am inclined to apply that specific name to the red Bush-quail,
which is stated by Latham to occur chiefly in the Mahratta
country, whilst cambaiensis is from Guzerat, where, as far as
we know, only the present species is found. Adams, however,
states that he has only seen this bird in the upper Himalayas,
and not on the plains of India.

In the South of India this Bush-quail frequents open forests ;
thick patches of jungle, and especially grassy hill sides with a few
scattered bushes : also fields near hills or jungle. . Riding through
some of the more open forests, especially in the upland districts ;
a bevy of this little bird is often seen crossing the road, or feeding
on grain dropped by cattle. In the North-west Provinces, how-
ever, they appear to frequent gardens, bushes and hedge-rows
in more open ground, near stations. Hodgson states them
to be migratory in Nepal. A writer in the Bengal Sporting Magazine,
vol. XL, says that " they are very abundant in the plains
of upper India, indeed in some places, scarcely any other game
is to be had. According to my observations they are not migratory,
but pair and breed about the same time as the Rain-quail ( Cotumix
caromandelicua) in the rains. During this period, the plumage of
the male is really handsome. I have seen the parent birds leading
forth their young exactly as a Partridge would. A covey of them
in my garden never fails me for breaking in my setters."

% GAMR BIBDS OF INDIA.

This bush-quail is found in coveys or bevies of from six or
eiglit to a dozen and more, and generally all rise at once with a
loud whirring noise, uttering cries of alarm, and after a short
flight drop down* again into the jungle.

A tolerable figure is given in the volume of the Bengal Sporting
Review for 1836, pL 1, f. 6, under the name of the Bush-quail.

29. Perdicula Asiatica> Latham.

Perdix, apud Latham, also Lauwau Partridge, Latham, No. 41. —
Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. XV., pi. 12, (except the account of its
distribution and habits) — Coturnix argoondah, Stkes, Cat. 155,
and Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. 2, pi. 2.?— Jbrdon, Cat. 277 —
Blyth, Cat. 1518 — P. rubiginosa, Valeno ? — Zotca, H. —
Lawunka^ Tel. — Sin-hadeh^ Tam. i. e. the red quail.

The Rock Bush-QuaiL

Descr. — Male, upper plumage brownish rufous, the feathers
minutely freckled and lineolated with black and tawny; the feathers
of the head and neck tipped with black, and some of the scapulars
and wing-coverts with irregular black blotches; primaries dark brown
with tawny bars on the outer webs ; tail with the lateral feathers
also barred ; a narrow white line passes over the eye from the base
of the bill, bordered by dusky, and another short line below this
from the gape; the rest of the face, chin and throat bright
rufous ; the whole lower parfcs, including the sides of the neck,
being white with numerous cross bars of black, and tinged with
rufous on the flanks, lower belly and thigh coverts.

Bill dark slaty; irides brown; orbits pale; legs red. Length
6^ inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 1^ ; tarsus barely 1.

The female differs in having the upper surface more uniform
rufous brown, and the whole of the lower parts are pale rufous,
albescent on the vent ; supercilia barely perceptible. Some spe*
cimens of males are more uniformly rufous than in the above
description, and want the black markings. Judging from the
character of the female these birds should be young males.

* Note.— Blyth in his Cat looks on this as pentah, the former as argoondah^
Sykes, but I think that I have correctly applied those names here.

ROCK BUSH-QUAIL. 97

This species differs more from the preceding one than is
apparent from the description alone. It is always more rufous than
the last, and wants the rich markings on the scapulars. The females
are very similar to each other, but those of the present species are
more uniform in their coloration than those of the last.

The Rock Bush-quail is found over most of Southern India,
avoiding the Malabar Coast and forest districts generally, as well
as the more highly cultivated portions. It is abundant in parts of
the Carnatic and Mysore, as well as in the more barren portion of the
Deccan, but does not appear to occur in the North of India at all
beyond the Nerbudda, although very suitable ground for it occurs
both at Mhow and Saug(Jr. It frequents rocky hills with low
scrub junc^Ie, and especially barren uncultivated plains, scantily
covered with low bushes of Zizyphus or Carissa and other thorny
shrubs, out of which the bevy rises, ten or a dozen or twenty toge-
ther, with a startling suddenness and bustle, dispersing more or less
among the neighbouring bushes. The flesh of this Bush-quail,
as well as of the last, is perfectly white, and it makes a good pie ;
plain roasted they are not so good as the species of Coturnix^ being
dry and with little flavour.

The Lowa is much used for fighting among the Mussulmans of
Southern India, as indeed, the Geerza is also, though not so com-
mon, nor so highly esteemed. Burgess found this Bush-quail
i)reeding from December to March, but found only four pale buff
eggs. It probably lays considerably more.

The next species differs from the previous ones by its more
slender and red bill, and the male wants the tarsal tubercle; but
it has the rounded wings and much the same habits as the Bush-
quails with which I shall continue to associate it, though as a
somewhat aberrant species. Gould has separated it under the
generic name of Microperdix.

30. Perdicula erjrthrorhyncha, Sykes.

Coturnix, apud Sykes, Cat. 117 — and Zool. Trans, vol. 2, pi. 1 —
Jeudon, Cat 279— Blyth, Cat. 1525— Hardwicke, 111. Ind.
Zool. 2, pi. 44, f. 2— Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. XIV., pi.
IG^Kokni lowa, 11. of some Shikarees.

n

9» oamk birds of india.

The Painted Bush-quail.

Descr. — Male, foi^ehead, lores, and crown of head black ; a white
frontal band, continued as a snpercilium over each eye ; upper
plumage rich olive brown, with black lunules ; scapulars, wing-
coverts and secondaries with large patches of black, the shaft pale
yellow, and some faint cross lines of the same ; primaries brown,
the outer webs barred with dark rufous; tail brown with black
spots, and barred with narrow pale yellow lines; beneath, the
chin is pure white, bordered by black ; the rest of the lower parts
are nifous, passing into olive brown on the sides of the neck, and
with a few spots of black on the breast, increasing in size on tlie
sides of the neck and breast ; feathers of the flanks with large
spots of deep black tipped with white.

Bill and legs fine red ; irides yellow brown. Length 6| inches ;
wing 3; tail 1^; tarsus 1.

The female differs in having the chin, supercilium, forehead, and
face rufous, in place of white, and the head is brown instead of
being black.

This very handsome Bush-quail has only been found on the
higher lands of Southern India, extending along the crest of the
Ghats, from the Wynaad to near Poonah, at all events, I have
observed it on the Neilgherries, in the Wynaad, and in Coorg ;
Col. Sykes recorded it from the valley of Karleh, associating with
Fraiicolinus pictus^ and Mr. W. Elliot obtained it on the inter-
vening ranges of Dharwar. It is far from rare in Wynaad, and
abundant on the Neilgherries, frequenting bushy ground and
patches of ferns on hill sides, or in the valleys. It frequently
enters gardens at Ootacamund, and may be watched from the
windows, running actively about, picking up seeds and insects, and
I have known many fall victims to the stealthy pounce of some
domestic Cat. It lives in moderately large bevies, which rise all
together, but with less whirr than the other Bush-quails, their
plumage generally being softer and not so firm*

No other species are known.

Sub-fam. Cotuknicin^, Quails.
Wings pointed, rather long; bill moderate; tarsi not spurred ;
of small size. Sexes differ somewhat iu coloration. Of univer-

LARGIC GREY QUAIL. 'JO

sal distribution throughout the Old World, but culminating in
Australia and Eastern Malayans*

The true Quails are not always kept distinct from the Part-
ridges, but their longer and more pointed wings, great powers
of flight, and migratory habits of some, together with their
distribution, point them out as a separate group. They are
the most widely distributed division of Kasores, being found
throughout the whole old continent, as far as New Zefdand. One
genus is peculiar to Australia and neighbouring islands ; and there
are two others 'differing very slightly from each other which have
a still wider distribution.

Gen. CoTUUNix, Brisson,

Clmr, — Bill somewhat slender, straight, or slightly curved ; tarsi
without spurs ; tail very short, rounded and soft, concealed by the
upper tail-coverts; wings lengthened and pointed, the 1st and
2nd quills longest.

I'his genus is most numerous in species in the Southern regions of
Asia ; one species only, the common Quail, being found throughout
the greater part of Asia, Europe and Africa.

31. Coturniz communis, Bonaterrb.

Blyth, Gat 1521 — G. dactylisonans, Temminck — Sykes, Cat.
153— Jerdon, Cat 275— Gould, Birds of Europe pi. 2G3—
C. indicus, Hodgson — Batter or harra hatter^ H, — Ghagas hatter^
II. of Falconers — Gogari yelUchi^ Tel. — Peria kadeh. Tarn. — Lowa,
Mahr. (according to Sykes) — The European Quail.

The Labob Gbet Quail.

Descr, — Male, head brown, with pale edging to the feathers,
and a central pale line ; eyebrows, checks, and lores whitish, with
the car-coverts partially brown ; the upper plumage brown,
each feather of the back, scapulars, rump and tail having on one
side of the pale yellow shaft a fine black patch, and some pale
cross striai; wing-coverts greyish-brown, with narrow streaks
and bars of pale yellowish, black bordered ; primaries dark brown,
with pale rufous spots and bars on the outer webs; beneath, the
chin is dull white ; the throat rufous brown, with a double blackish

100 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

or brown band or collar, separated by some yellowish white^ and
a few blackish spots on the breast and sides of neck ; the rest
of the lower plumage pale rufous, deepest on the lower neck
and breast, and beooming earthy on the flanks and vent ; the
long feathers of the flanks pale chocolate color, with a broad cen-
tral yellow stripe and some black blotrhes.^

The female chiefly differs in wanting the rufous brown patches
on the throat and breast, which is much spotted with brown ; she
is larger than the male.

Bill homy brown ; irides yellow brown ; legs pale fleshy.
Length 7^ inches ; extent 14^ ; wing 4^ ; tail nearly 2 ; tarsus I.
Weight 3i to 4 oz.

The European Quail is found throughout India,' in considerable
numbers, during the cold weather, most migrating during the rains,
and breeding elsewhere, but a few pairs remaining and breeding
in various parts of the country, especially towards the West and
North-west. The Grey Quail, as it is generally termed in India,
generally rises singly or in pairs, but considerable numbers arc
found together ; and, in some localities, and in certain seasons, it
occurs in great profusion, and aflbrds excellent sport to the gunner.
It is found in long grass, corn-fields, stubble and fields of pulse,
wandeiing about according as the crops ripen in different parts of
the country. It is less numerous towards the south of India than
further north ; but in beating grass-lands for the small Florikin,
many are flushed. Dogs stand very steadily to Quail, and in the
cool weather excellent sport is to be had, fifty couple being not
unfrequently bagged by one gun in a mornings' shooting in the
North-western Provinces. In parts of Bengal, they also abound
much, and I have heard of seventy-five brace being killed by two
guns. I have received several authentic notices of this Quail
breeding in India, among other parts of the country in Kajpootana
and Bundelkund.

The female lays eight to twelve eggs, dull whitish, blotched
and speckled with umber brown, Gunga, in the Bengal Sporting
Magazine, says, that on one occasion, he found four whitish eggs,
dotted and blotched with pale red. The same good observer states,
with reference to the abundance or otherwiise of Quail, that * if the

f

BLACK-BREASTED QUAIL. 101

country which lies between us and their breeding country be
defective from bad seasons, they proceed on, and reach us in great
numbers ; on the contrary, if they find food nearer at hand,
they stop.' Hodgson states that they reach the valley of Nepal, in
greatest numbers, at the ripening of the autumn and spring
crops, respectively. Quails are netted in great numbers in some
parts of the country, and many are also caught in hair-nooses.
The Nepalese have an ingenious way of catching QuaiL They
put a pair of imitation horns on their heads, and walk slowly about
the stubble fields, twirling some blades of grass in their hands
in a way to imitate the champing of grass by cattle, and as these
birds are not alarmed by cattle, they succeed in driving any quail
they see under a small net, which they then drop, and secure the
bird.

Sykes, Yarrell and others have expended much learning and
paper in endeavouring to show that this bird was the species that
supplied food to the starving Israelites, referring to its migratory
habits as a proof thereof. It will be seen on referring to page 14,
that the large Pin-tailed Rock-pigeon is considered, with more pro-
bability, to have been the bird referred to by the Historian.

32. Gotorniz coromandelica, Gmelik.

Tetrao apud Gmelin — Blyth, Cat 1623 — Gould, Birds of
Asia, pt. VI., pL 7— C. textilis, Temmimck, PL coL 35— Jerdon,
Cat. 276 — Stkes, Cat 154 — BaUer or batUyry II. — Chinna
yelliclih Tel. — Kade, Tam. — • Rain-quaiC of some Sportsmen.

The Blaok-bbeasted Quail.

Descr. — Male, upper surface closely resembles that of the Grey-
quail, but somewhat brighter, and the colours more pronounced,
the yellow stripes being in greater number ; chin and throat pure
white ; two narrow cross bands of black on the throat, the upper
one joined by a longitudinal stripe on each side, from the base of
the lower mandible ; below these, the breast is black, breaking up
into black blotches on the abdomen, extending along the flanks as
far as the vent; lower belly white, tinged with rufous on the flanks
and lower tail-covcrts ; primaries plain unbarred brown.

102

GAME BIRDS OF INDtA.

Bill dusky; iridcs brownish-red; legs fleshy-yellow. Length 6
to 6i inches ; extent 12 ; wing 3^ ; tjul 1^ ; tarsus J. Weiirht
2i to 2i oz.

The female wants the black breast and cross bars, and has the
neck and breast spotted with dark brown.

Young males have less of the black on the breast which is
broken up into spots. and blotches. During the breeding season,
the black breast is more marked, the biU also is darker, and the
legs redder.

This Quail bears so close a resemblance to the large Grey-quail,
that many Sportsmen consider it to be the same, in spite of the
difference in size, in which they are confirmed by the opinion "of
some natives who assert that the Kain-quaii is the male bird of
tljc Grey-quail. Looking at the upper surface of each, they
certainly present a very close simikrity, but the lower plumage
differs much in the males, less so in females. The two birds
however, may always be distinguished by a glance at the primaries',
which arc unspotted brown in the present bird, barred in the*
Grey-quail.

The Rain-quail, as it is called by many Sportsmen, is found
throughout the whole of India, rare in thickly wooded or forest
districts. In many parts of the country where the grass is short
and much dried up in the hot months, it is not found, or at all
events, it is rare till the rains have commenced, and the younc
grass is springing up, when numbers appear all over the country
cntenng gardens and grassy compounds, and their pleasant whisde
tnhit-wkit, stronger in its tone than the caU of the Grey-quail may
be heard at all hours. On this.account it has received its popular
name of * Rain-quail' Several writers in the Bengal Sporting
Magazine, including Hodgson, used to consider the Coromandel
and Rain-quail to be distinct; but the well-known 'Gunrra'
shewed that they were the same bird, and that the suppos'Ld
distmction probably arose from Sportsmen considering that Rain-
quail, so called, were never met with, except during the rains
wlicrcas they are found at all seasons, but attract attention less in
the cold weather, and indeed are then often confounded with the
Grcy-Quail.

BLACK-BRK.ASTED QUAIL. 103

Although it thus moves about, according to the seasons, from one
part of the country to another, it is not strictly a migratory bird,
and will occasionally be found in suitable spots where there is grass
or good cover, at all seasons. It is frequently found in pairs, now
and then in bevies, which however, do not generally rise at once
like the Bush-quail. Though not the special object of the sports-
man's attention, several of this Quail are frequently shot, along
with the large ones. Throughout considerable part of Bengal,
this bird does not appear to occur, or at all events to be plentiful
during the rains, and as it is the most moist and grassy part of
the country, probably many of the birds that disperse over the
country during the rains, find shelter and food there in the hot
weather. Both this and the Grey-quail are very partial to the
grains of Cheenee, a small Millet cultivated extensively in .Bengal
during the hot weather and rains.

This Quail lays, from six to eight eggs generally, of a creainy
pink colour, with a few brownish spots, in a tuft of grass, in June
and July.

The Rain-quail extends to Assam, Sylhet, and upper Burmali.
I found it abundant at Thayet Myo^ in May and June.

Several other true Quails are found in Australia, New Zealand,
and some of the most Eastern Islands of Malayana, viz., C.
Nova Zealandue, Q. and 6. ; C peetoraliSy Gould ; and
C. Healteni, S, M tiller. C. Mstrionicuj Hartl., is, perhaps, an
Eivcalfactoiia.

The genus Synmcus^ Gould, comprises some large-sized Quails
peculiar to Australia, and there termed Partridges.

Gen. ExcALFACTOKiA, Bonaparte.

Char. — Very similar to Cotumix ; wings less pointed and more
rounded ; 1st quill shorter than the 2nd ; 3rd, 4th and 5th, gra-
duating very slightly from the 2nd. Of small size, and rich
plumage. Sexes differ much in plumage.

I should not have adopted this genus, had not Gould and other
modern Ornithologists done so, for it differs but little from true
Coinrnix. It has a more limited geographic range, one species
occurring iu India, but none in Central or Western Asia, nor

104 GAME BlUnS OF INDIA.

in Africa. Several, however, are found in the Malayan islands and
Australia.

•33. Excalfactoria chinensiSi Linnjgus.

Tetrao apud LiNNiEUS — Gould, Birds of Australia, V., pi. 92 —
Blyth, Cat. 1524— Jerdon, Cat. 280— Tet. manillensis, Gmcli.v
— Cot. Philippeiisis, Brisson — C. excalfactoria, Temminck — 0.
flavipes, Blyth, (the female). * Painted Quail' of some Sports-
men — Bain-quail in parts of Bengal

The Blue-bbbasted Quail.

Vescr, — Male, head and upper plumage olive-brown, with a
central pale streak on the head ; the feathers of the back pale-
shafted, and with a black band 'usually on one side only of the
shaft ; primaries and their coverts uniform olive-brown, some of the
greater secondary coverts edged with deep rufous, forming a
narrow red wing band, the rest of the quills barred with black ;
forehead, lores, cheeks, ear-coverts, and breast, of a fine dark purple
grey ; chin and throat deep black, enclosing a white triangular
moustachial patch from the base of the lower mandible ; and below
the black is a white collar commencing as a narrow line behind
the ear-coverts, and curving down and increasing in width on the
lower part of the throat ; this is narrowly edged by black ; the
middle of the abdomen, vent and under tail-coverts> rich deep
maronne, as are most of the tail feathers.

Bill black ; irides deep brown ; legs bright yellow. Length 5^
inches; extent 9; wing 3 ; tail not 1 ; tarsus J. Weight 1| oz.

The female differs in wanting the pronounced lower plumage x>f
the male bird ; the supercilium, forehead, and throat are rufous,
enclosing a dull whitish chin ; tlie breast is brown, with dark cross
bars, as are the feathers of the flanks which are much lengthened ;
the lower parts are whitish, tinged with earthy-brown. Length
5 ; extent 8.

This beautiful little Quail recalls the coloring of some of the
American Quails, Ortygma^ the grey and maronne tints being
similarly present in one or more of that group. The upper
plumage, however, is that of typical Coturnix. It is found
in many parts of India; but generally rare, except in Bengal

BLUE-BREASTED QUAIL, 105

and adjacent provinces, and is still more common in Assam
and Burmah, where it is very abundant Thence it extends
through the islands to Australia, and it is said to be cofpmon in
China and the Philippines. I have killed it once only in the Gar-
natic ; one specimen is recorded in my Catalogue from Belgaum in
Western India. It occurs occasionally in Central India, and in the
Upper Provinces as far as Bareilly, but it is rare in all these
localities^ and perhaps only stragglers find their way so far. In
lower Bengal it is tolerably abundant in damp grassy meadows,
the edges of Indigo fields, and in the grass on road sides ; and in
Purncah, in the month of July, it was the only Quail I observed.
It breeds in this month, the eggs being pale olive-green. When
the young are full grown, they disperse all over the country, and
this dispersion is greatly assisted, and in many parts, perhaps^
caused by the heavy inundations to which great part of the
country in Bengal is annually subjected, generally in August 6r
September ; and in the cold season they are replaced by the Grey-
quail, and the so called Rain-quail. A female or young bird,
evidently of this species, is figured in the Betu/al Sporting Magazine^
1836, pi. 1. f. 5, the writer considering it possibly a young of
C, coromandelicOj and Hodgson as young of C, communis.

Other species of this pretty genus arc E, novcB guinece^ GmcL ;
E. Adamsoni, Verreaux ; and E. minima, Gould, from Celebes,
* the smallest game-bird in the world.'

The American Partridges form the sub-family Orlygina of some,
Odontopltorince, Gray an^ Gould, the latter Ornithologist having
published a valuable monograph of the group. They comprise
several distinct forms, some crested, others not so ; they are birds of
a size intermediate between a Quul and a Partridge, and are
found both in North and South America. One genus, Odoniophorus,
is chiefly found in South America. It has the bill short, much
arched^ and with two small teeth on each side of the lower
mandible near its point. Ortyx and its near affines, Lojyhortgx,
Strophiortyx^ Dendrortyx^ are mostly from North America. They
frequent fields, hedge-rows, and occasionally woods. The females
are said to lay numerous eggs, from fifteen to twenty-foun Blyth
remarks that Lophoritjx appears to bear the same relationship to

106 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Ortyx which Caecahis does to P'erdix^ i. e. in its mode of colora*
tion; and the similarity of color of Lopliortyx to Excalfacioria has
been alceady alluded to.

The Guinea-fowls of Africa may either form a separate sub-
family of the Tetrax>nid(B^ or be considered a distinct family
as they are by Bonaparte. They are birds of large size, with
short tails of fourteen or sixteen feathers, grey spotted plu-
mage, and with the skin of the head usually devoid of feathers,
in other cases plumed, and the head is furnished in some with a
bony casque, in others with a crest of feathers. The tarsus is
not spurred. They are noisy and gregarious. Blyth considers
them ^ a most thorough Partridge genus' ; I think them sufficiently
distinct in appearance, habits, and their limited African distribu-
tion, to form a separate family. Bonaparte places the Guinea fowls
near the Turkeys, in a separate group, (Cohort Graces)^ along
with the CracidcBf thus considering them removed both from the
Pheasants (Cohort Galli), and the Partridges (Cohort Perdiees).
Several species are known, one of them iV. vtdturina having the
feathers of the neck and breast hackled and lanceolate. Among
the Guinea fowls should be placed Agelastea meUagrides.

Fam. TiNAMiDiB.

Bill moderate, slender, stnught, or slighdy curved at the tip ;
wings moderate or short ; tail short, occasionally none, the upper
tail-coverts lengthened and concealing, the tail in many; tarsi
unarmed ; lateral toes short, hallux small and elevi^ted, or wanting
altogether ; claws diort and blunt

The birds of this family, mostly peculiar to the new continent,
and especially to South America, are represented in the old world
and Australia by two or three genera, which have, by most systema-
lists, been usually placed among the Quails, and were located by
Cuvier next SyrrhapieSy from the absence of the hind toe in both.
Blyth first, I believe, referred these birds to the present family.

The Tinamidm difPer remarkably from other GallinacecB in the
structure of their sternum, the inner emargination being very
deep, but the onter one wanting, or rather the outermost projection
of bone bounding it disappears altogether, leavipg the sternum

TINAMIDiB. 107

very narrow^ and with one deep notch. The f urcula is very long
and compressed, and its bony edge reaches the front of the sternal
crest which is moderately raised. The stomach is musculari and
the intestines rather short with moderately long coeca.

The Indian members of this family may be placed in a distinct
sub-family.

Sub-fam. Tubnicinjb.

Of diminutive size. Found in the old Continent and Australia.
Three toes in one genus ; the hind toe present in another.*

Gen. TuENix, Vieillot.

Syn. Ortygisy 111. — Ilemipodius^ Reinwardt.

Char. — Bill slender, of moderate lengthy straight, much com-
pressed, slightly curved at the tip ; nostrib linear ; wings of
moderate length, with the first quill longest in some, or the first
three gently graduated ; tail feeble, shorty concealed by the upppr
coverts, of ten or twelve narrow feathers ; tarsus moderate or
rather long ; toes moderate or rather short, separated at the base ;
no hind toe.

This genus is placed by Bonaparte and by Gray, in a sub"
family JSimicinm of the Perdicidce,

These diminutiviC game-birds may be said to have their head
quarters in Australia, whence they spread into Malayana, India and
Africa, one species being even found in Spain. Those whose nidifi-
cation is known, lay several large egg^v, dull brownish green with
numerous dusky spots; Blyth says only four, like Plovers and Snipe.

Two types arc discriminable, the one larger, with the plumage
much mottled and barred with black beneath ; the other smaller,
with the plumage more or less pale or fulvous, with spots. To
the latter, Gray restiicts Tumixj applying Ortygis to the former,
which Bonaparte distingubhes under the name of Areotumiau I
shall not adopt these divisions except as sections.

1st — With the bill stronger, and the plumage of the females
black-barred on the throat and breast. OrtygU apud Gray,
' ArecturniXy Bonap. In this section the females are larger than

* Mr, Parker's interesting paper on the anatomy of these birds reached me too
late to incorporate here, but 1 will uotice i( in the Appeadiju

108 QABIE BIRDS OF INDIA.

the lualed, and the brightest coloured, as well as the boldest. Thejr
live chiefly in bushy jangles with gras8»

34. Tumix taigoor; Sykes.

Hcmipodius, apud Stkbs, Cat. 164 (the male) and H. pugnax,
Cat. 163 (the female) — ^Trans. Zool. Soc. 2, pi. (the male) — Beng.
Sport. Mag. 1836, pi 1. f. 8.— Jebdon, Cat. 268 and 269— T.
ocellatu-s, apud Blytu, Cat. 1526, (rufous variety from S. India,
and small variety from Bengal) — T. rufa, Bonap. cxBlyth — ^T.
bcngalensis, Blyth — Gulu and Gundluj H. in the South — Salui
gnndru^ H. in the N. W. P. — Puredi, Tel. t. e, the bold one, (the
female) Koladu, Tel., i. e. of no spirit, (the male) — Kurung hadeh^
Turn, (the female), An-kadeb (the male) — Black quail of some
Sportsmen.

The Blaok-bbeasted Bustabd-quail.

Descr. — The female is rufous above, with transverse black
lines on each feather of the back, scapulars and rump, these
Having also yellowish white lateral margins, internally edged
with black; the crown of the head rufous with a series of
l)Iack and white feathers, appearing as white spots set off
with black, along the medial line ; another and broader series
over each eye; a third bordering the throat, which, with the middle
of the foreneck to the commencement of the breast, (together with
the more conspicuous feathers of the wings) is fulvous white, with
tolerably broad black cross-bars; Kelow the breast, light but
"bright ferruginous.

Bill dark slaty; irides pale yellow; legs plumbeous. Length
about 6 J inches ; wing 3i ; tarsus ^^ ; bill at front J. Weight
2^ oz. or a trifle more.

The male bird differs in wanting the black on the throat and
neck, the chin and throat being whitish; the markings on the head
are whitish yellow without black specks ; the throat and breast are
faintly banded ; and the whole tone of plumage is lighter and less
pronounced than in the female. Length not quite 6 inches.
Weight Ij to 2 oz.

It will be seen from the name I have adopted and the synonyms,
that I do not consider this bird to be the same as the Uurmose,

BLACK-BREASTED BUSTARD-QUAIL. 109

and fperhaps) Malayan race which also occurs within our limits,
in the Himalayas, and hence I have taken Sykes' name as the one
first bestowed on the peninsular race^ albeit applied only to tlic
male, as he considered the female to be pugnaa^ a Javanese bird.
As thus understood, the present species may be said to inhabit
the whole of Continental India including Ceylon. Specimens
from different localities differ slightly. The Ceylon bird is
altogether similar in the upper plumage to peninsular specimens,
but rather deeper ferruginous beneath ; whilst some from Bengal
have a sligiitly darker and browner tone above, but with the
whitish edgings to the feathers of the back still more pronounced
and wider; whilst the ferruginous colour of the lower parts is
perhaps a little paler.

The black-breasted Bustard-quail affects grassy patches in the
forests and jungles ; also low bushy jungle, and is frequently to
le found in fields of Chili, Dhal, and various dense crops, especially
if near patches of jungle ; for in open and barren country, or very
highly cultivated coimtry without jungle, it is comparatively rare.
Occasionally small bevies of five or six are flushed together, but
in general, it is put up singly, or two or three birds together.
It feeds on grain of various kinds, but also very much on small
insects, larvss of grasshoppers and the like. The female has a
peculiar loud purring call which must be familiar to many.

The hen-birds are most pugnacious, especially about the
breeding season, and this propensity is made use of, in the south
of India, to effect their capture. For this purpose a small
cage with a decoy bird is used, having a concealed spring
compartment, made to fall by the snapping of a thread placed
between the bars of the cage. It is set on the ground in some
thick cover carefully protected. The decoy-bird begins her loud
purring call which can be heard a long way off, imd any females
within ear-shot run rapidly to the spot, and commence fighting
with the caged bird, striking at the bars. This soon breaks the
thread, the spring-cover falls, ringing a small bell at the same
time by which the owner, who remains concealed near at hand, is
warned of a capture ; and he runs up, secures his ^ey and sets the
cage again in another locahty. In this way I have known twelve

110 GAME DIKDS OF INDIA.

to twenty birds oocasionally captured in one day, in a patch of
thick bushy jungle in the Camatic, where alone I have known this
practice carried on. The birds that are caught in this way are all
femalesy and in most cases are birds laying eggs at the time* for I
have frequently known instances of some eight or ten of those
captured, so far advanced in the process as to lay their eggs in the
bag in which they are carried, before the bird catcher had reached
my house. The eggs are said to be usually deposited under a
bush in a slight wcU-concealed hollow ; they are from five to eight
in number, and of a dull stx>ne grey or green colour, thickly spotted
and freckled with dusky, yery large for the bird, and very blunt.
In the Carnatic this bird breeds from July to September ; further
south from June to August, and in Ceylon^ says Layard, from
February to August The females are said by the natives to
desert their eggs, and to associate together in flocks, and the males
are said to be employed in hatching the eggs, but I can neither
confirm nor reject this from my own observations.

This bird I presume from the description to be the Rain-quail of
ft writer in the Beng. Sport, Mag, for September 1835, who says
.that " the scent is good and dogs find them well in the evening."

The flesh of this bird is excellent, mixed brown and white,
/succulent and tasty. QoL Sykes asserts that their fighting qualities
are unknown in the Deccan, as also in Java ; but they are well
Jcnown in the south of India ; and at Hydrabad in the Deccan,
Arcot, and other places, many used to be kept for that purpose by
Mussulmans.

35. Turniz ocellatns, Scopou.

Oriolus apud Scopoli— Blyth, Cat 1526, (in part)— H. atrogu-
laris, Eyton, (the female) — H. taigoor apud Eyton, (the male)
— H. plumbipes, Hodgsox — ^H. pugnax apud Gray — Timok-
plio, Lepch. — Timokf Bhot

The Bill Bustard-quail.

Descr. — Female, very similar in appearance to the last, but

.darker, less rufous and browner above, the feathers minutely

mottled, and with the pale edgings to the feathers of the back

and scapidars, &c.| almost wanting, giving quite a diflcrent appear-

BILL BUSTARD-QUAIL. Ill

ance to the plumage ; the head too is generally blacker ; the
black spots on the wings are rounded, and have less of the charac-
ter of bars and more that of spots. In size it is larger too than
the peninsular species.

Bill slaty brown ; irides pale yellow ; legs leaden. Length
fully 7 inches ; wing 3/^ ; tail 1 ; tarsus 1 ; bill at front i%ths,
stronger than in taigoar.

The male bird differs from the female much as that of taigoor
does, and it has the same characters of the upper plumage as
the female.

This species appears to inhabit the Himalayas, Assam and
Burmah, perhaps extending into Malayana. Specimens from the
Khasia hills and Burmah, quite agree with Himalayan birds, but
those from Malacca are still darker^ the whole head beitig blacker,
the pale lines on the top of the head and the supercilia hardly
contrasting ; and the black wing-spots are still rounder than in
Himalayan birds, Scopoli's name of ocellatus being perfectly appli-
cable to such birds, a trifle less so to Himalayan specimens, and
not at all to taigoor. It is possible that in Malacca an allied race,
pugnaxj takes the place of the Himalayan and Burmese birds, and
perhaps interbreeds with it, as very probably the present bird may
with taigooTf where the two meet, on the confines of Bengal to the
North and East How far this bird may extend along the Hima-
layan range westward, I know not, as there are no records of
its occurrence further West than Nepal

The Hill Bustard-quail is found on grassy slopes on the Hima-
layas, in cleared spots as Tea gardens, and fields ; and the female
has a similar, but still louder purring call than that of taigoor. The
female is much more commonly met with than the male. It
occurs up to a level of 7000 feet, and I have seen it occasionally
in grassy compounds in the station of Darjeeling. I had the egg
brought me once, very similar to that of taigoor^ but darker and
a trifle larger.

Other species belonging to this section are T. pugnax^ Temminck,
from Java, possibly the same as T. luzonienUSf GmeL; T.fasciatuSf
Temm., from Macassar, figured by Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. XIII.,
pi. 16; and T, nigrifronsj Cuvier, from some of the islands. Two

112 GAME BIBDS OF INDIA.

African species^ T. nigricollis, Gmel., and T. Iioitentoias, Tcmin.^
probably belong to ibis group.

2. — With moro slender bills, the plumage beneath more or less
rufous with a few spots, not black-barred^ restricted Turnix of
Bonaparte and BcichenbacL Sexes alike or nearly so.

36. Turniz Dussumieriiy Temmince.

Hemipodius apud Tehmingk, PI. coL 454, f. 2— Bltth, Cat.
1530— T. tancki, BucH. Hamilton apud Blytu, J. A. S. XFI.
181, bis— T. joudera, Hodgson — figured, Beng. Sport Mag. 1838
pi. 1, f. 1. — Pedda daba gundlu, Tel.

The Larqeb Button Quail.

Descr. — Crown light brown, with blackish margins to the fea-
thers ; a central stripe on the crown ; the supercilia and ear-coverts
light fulvescent ; nape bright ferruginous ; back ashy brown,
tending to rufous^ the feathers with dark cross bars, most marked
on the lower back and rump ; scapulars and some of the nearest
dorsal plumes with edgings of creamy yellow ; wing-coverts
light sandy brown, with a small black spot near the tip which is
margined with pale yellowish ; quills earthy brown, the primaries
narrowly edged with yellowish white ; chin and upper part of
throat white; the rest- of the lower parts ferruginous, deepest on
the breast and upper part of the abdomen.

Bill yellow ; irides yellowish white ; legs, deep yellow. Length
5^ to 6 inches ; wing 2| ; tarsus 1 ; bill at front {^.

This large Button-quail (as this species and the next are named
by sportsmen in India) is found in open grassy glades in forests
or jungles, both on the plains, and more especially in hilly coun-
tries, and is also found in grass jungles throughout Bengal and
the countries to the eastward. It occurs throughout India in
suitable localities, rare in the bare Deccan and North-western
Provinces, not uncommon in open glades of the u{dand district^
of Malabar, in the Eastern Ghats and in lower BepgaL It is
always seen singly, in patches of long grass or thick cultivation,
flying but a short distance, and is very difficult to flush a second
time.

BUTTON QUAIL. 113

37. Tarnix Sykesii^ A. Smith.

Bltth, Cat. 1 531 — ^T. Dussumierii, Temm. apud Sykes, Cat
165— and Gray, List of Nepal birds, — and Jerdon, Cat 769 —
T. variabilis, Hodgson^ Beng. Sport. Mag. 1837 p. 345 ? — figured
in the same periodical for 1836 pi. 1. f. 7 — and for 1838 pi. 1. f.
2 — Dabki^ H. of some— Tiirflof others — Chimnaj^ H. at Muttra—
Libbia^ H. in Purneah — Tatu batteroj Sindh — Chinna (or tella)
daba ffundluj Tel.

The Button-quaii..

Descr* — Head brown, black-barred, with a pale snpercilium
and central stripe ; upper parts chesnut brown, each feather finely
barred with black, and edged with yellowish-white, conspicuously
on the scapulars and part of the back, and, on the wing-coverts
so broadly as to «ppear entirely yellowish white with chesnut,
black-edged spots ; quills dusky brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts
dark brown, closely barred with black, and with faint whitish
edges to the feathers ; throat whitish, with a few blackish specks
on the sides ; breast pale ferruginous, with the sides of the neck
and breast with dark brown drops and lunules ; abdomen whitish.
Bill plumbeous ; irides pale yellow ; legs fleshy whitish* Length
5 to 5:^ inches ; wing 2} ; tarsus }.

This Button-quail, the most diminutive game-bird of India, was
first named by Dr. A. Smith, in his Zoology of South Africa, when
describing a nearly allied African species 71 lepurana. It occurs
throughout the whole of India, (not however affecting hilly or
forest districts,) in grass, oom fields, and wherever there is thick
herbage. It is flushed with great difliculty, often getting up at
your very feet, flies but a few yards, and drops down again into
the grass, not to be re-flushed but after a most laborious search,
and sometimes allowing itself to be caught by the hand, or by a
dog. Its name of Dabki^ signifying * squatter/ is given from this
habit It has a low plaintive moan of a single note. I regret
that I know nothing of the habits of this or the previous species
as to breeding, &c.

Other species of this group are T. andalusicus, Gmelin, figured
by Gould, Birds of Europe, pL 264, found in Africa and the south

P

114 aAME BIRDS OF INPIA.

of Europe, which has occasionally been kilted in England^ and
there are other African species. T. maeulosus^ Temm., {Blanfordi^
Blyth) represents Dussumierii in BurmaK Several species from
Australia, are figured by Gould in his Birds of Australia, and some
of these appear to be similar to the birds of the first section ;
vrhilst others resemble Dussumierii; and one or two have the
coloration of tlie African species mentioned below.

The genus Pedionomus of Gould, differs in possessing a liind
toe, and is placed by Bonaparte among his Cotumicina^ but it
clearly belongs to the present family. It ia the Tumici-gralla of
O. des Murs. Only one species is known P. torquatua^ of which
P. mtcroum^, Gould, is considered to be the male. OxyieloSj\ iqiWoX,
{HelortyXf Agass.) has been dedicated to some African species,
the best known of which is O. meiffrerdj Y., {nivosus^ Swainson).

The Tinamid(B of South America live in fields, or the edges of
woods ; and are said to run well but to fly badly ; they lay seven
or eight eggs ; and are seldom found in flocks. They vary from
6 inches to nearly 15 in length. One genus TinamotU makes
a somewhat near approach to the Bustards.

OBALLATORES. 115

Ord. GRALLATORES,

GrallcB^ L. — Waders — Shore-birds.

Lower part of the tibia bare ; tarsus more or less elongated ;
feet of most, with the hind toe imperfect and raised, or absent ;
in a few long, and on the same plane as the front toes ; bill
very varied ; tail usually short ; wings lengthened.

The nudity of the tibia to a greater or less extent, and Ae usually
long legs, are the only general features characteristic of this order,
which comprises a considerable number of Ground*birds of very
varied appearance, habits, and structure. Many have long necks,
proportional, in most cases, to the length of the legs. The bill
varies from the gigantic beak of the Adjutant and Mycteria^ to the
short and slender bills of the Plovers and Tringa. The outer toe is
usually joined to the middle one by a short web, and the inner toe
occasionally ; whilst in some the toes are perfectly separated. In a
few the toes are bordered by a loose web. All, except those of
the first family, (which cannot fly at all) and some of the Rails, fly
well, and stretch their legs out behind them during flight. They
frequent chiefly the edges of rivers, seas and lakes ; many afiect
swamps, and a few dry plains or even sandy deserts. They feed
mostly on fish, reptiles, molluscs, insects, &c., and a few on vegetable
matter. In a large number, there is a vernal moult, and the plumage
changes considerably, in many becoming more or leas black, in
others rufous. They comprise several very distinct groups, with
anatomical differences, and of varied habits, which will be best
noticed under each tribe.

They divide into two great groups, the one in which the young,
as in the Rasores, run at once when hatched ; the other in which
the young are helpless at birth, and remain in the nest till near
maturity, the whole forming five tribes.

A. — ^The young, when hatched, able to run at once.

lut, Tribe. — StruthioneSj comprising the Ostriches, Emeus, &c.
2m/, Pf^ssir&stres, containing the Bustards, Plovers^and Cranes.
3r(/, Lonrfiroslres, — Snipes- and Sandpipers.

116 GAIIE BJBDS OF INDIA.

4M, Latitores, — Bails and Water-hena.
B. — With the. young helpless at birth,

5th, CuUirosires. —Storks, Herons and Ibises.

Tribe — Pbessibostres, Cuvier.

Cursores, apud Bonaparte (in part)

Tarsi elongated ; hind toe small or absent ; bill moderate or short,
thick, moderately depressed at the base, compressed on the sides.

This tribe, as I recognise it, comprises Bustards, Plovers, and
Cranes ; in all the young ran from the 'egg. The majority feed
chiefly oh insects, a few on grain and vegetable diet They may be
distinguished from the next tribe, the Longiroitres^ by their usually
shorter and thicker bill, more robust make, average greater size; and
in their habits they frequent the open dry plains more habitually
than banks of rivers, shores or marshes. A few are nugrator^, others
breed and remain here throughout the year. Several have a double
moult, and the change of plumage which takes place, sometimes
in the male only, in others in both sexes, is usually to black, in
a few cases only to rufous. They lay but few eggs, usually four,
sometimes two only, usually dark olive brown, blotched or plain.
The Cranes are usually classified next the Herons, by some, indeed,
in the same family, but their very different habits, the young
running as soon as hatched, and the similarity of their bills, and
general form to that of Bustards, all combine to remove them
far from the Herons and bring them close to Bustards.

The Presnroitres may be distributed among the following
families, all of which, except the last^ are represented in
India : —

1. Otiiiida, Bustards and Floricans.

2. Cursorida, Courser-plovers.

3. GlareoUda, Swallow-plovers.

4. CharadridcB^ Plovers.

5. Ilamatopodida, Shore-plovers.

6. Thinocoriday Game-plovers, a purely American group.
.7. Gruida, Cranes.

Gray, in his List of Genera, places Thinocorida among the
Rasarcs, and considers the Swallow-plovers and Shore-plovers
simply as sub-families of the Charadridw,

OTIDIDJE. 117

Fam. OTiDiDiB.

Bill rather short, stout, broad at the base^ somewhat compressed
towards the tip; npper mandible convex and slightly curved;
nostrils in a large membranous groove ; legs long, rather stout ;
tarsi reticulated ; three short toes imited at the base by a small
membrane; hind .toe always absent; claws short and blunt;
wings ample, more or less pointed ; plumage mottled and game-
like.

Bustards have the heavy aspect and form of Gallinaceous birds,

which they also approximate somewhat in the form of their bill,
and the short membrane at the base of their toes ; but their more
nude tibia, and their general anatomy ally them closely with the
Plovers. They differ, however, from these last by their less muscu-
lar stomach, and partially polygamous habits ; and they approach
the Cranes and Cassowaries, and perhaps are distantly related to
some of the Thinocoridaf and also to the Tinamida. Their
plumage is beautifully mottled, light olive brown or fulvous and
black, and at the spring moult many of them assume various orna-
mental tufts and plumes, and more or less of a black colour, like
several Plovers. Their food is chiefly insects, occasionally in
dearth of this aliment, shoots of plants, grain, and vegetable matter.
They lay two to five eggs, (or more it is said,) of a dark olive brown
colour ; and, though not strictly migratory, they wander about a
good deal in search of food and shelter. Their wings are strong and
very ample, and, contrary to received notions, they use them very
freely, and are capable of a tolerably strong and protracted flight.
They are found throughout the Old World, extending to Australia.
The sternum has one deep fissure in some, two however in others ;
the stomach is capacious, with rather thin coats ; the intestines are
short ; and the rectum large, making the nearest approach to the
Ostriches. In some there is a gular membranous pouch (communi-
cating with the mouth by a small aperture beneath the tongue),
supposed by some to supply water to the female, but, as it only
exists in the male bird, and as the Bustards do not appear to
drink, it is more probably a sexual appendage, perhaps merely used
in dilating the throat. Bustards can rais^ the feathers round the
ears to catch any distant sound.

118 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

They vary a good deal in the length and curvature of their
beaks, and in the length of the tarsus, as well as in the character
of the plumage, and the changes they undergo ; and they have been
divided into several genera. India possesses representatives of
three groups.

Gen. EupODOTis, Lesson.

Guir. — Bill long, pointed, nearly straight; legs long and strong;
wings lengthened and very ample ; male provided with a pouch ;
sexes alike in plumage or nearly so, but the female about a third
smaller ; no spring moult. Of very large size.

This genus contains some of the largest species in the family, and
is found in India, China, Africa and Australia. They frequent
bare open plains, as well as high grass and eom fields, and live
entirely, or nearly so, on insect food, chiefly large grasshoppers.

38. Eupodotis Edwardsiii Gray.

Otis, apud Gray — Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. 1, pi. 59 —
Blyth, Cat 1539 — 0. nigriceps, Vigors — Gould, Cent. Him.
Birds, pi. 72 — Sykbs, Cat 166 — JERDON,Cat 281 — 0. lucionensis,
ViEiLLOT ? Tokdar^ H. — Sohun, and Gugunbher in the North-
western Provinces — Gurayin in Hurriana — Burra chirath in some
parts — BaU-mtka^ or Bat-myaka, TeL

The Indian Bustard.

Descr, — Male, top of head with crest black ; face, nape, and
the whole neck, white, the feathers somewhat lencrthenod and
hackled in front ; the back and upper plumage, including the
shoulder of the wings and the ioner wing-coverts, pale olive
brown, or buff, beautifully mottled and variegated with minute
lines of black ; outer wing-coverts black, white tipped ; greater
coverts slaty-grey, also tipped with white, as is the winglet;
primaries dark slaty, more dusky on their outer edges, and white*
tipped ; tail as the back, with a dark sub-terminal band not always
very distinct on the central feathers ; a blackish brown . band
across the breast ; lower parts, with the thigh-coverts, white ; the
flanks dark olive brown ; vent and lower tail^coverts the same but
lighter.

INDIAN BUSTARD. 119

Bill dusky above, yellowish beneath ; irides pale yellow with
soTne brownish specks ; legs and feet dingy pale yellow. Length
4^ to 5 feet ; extent 8 feet ; wing 30 inches ; tail 13 ; bill at
front 2 ; tarsus 8|. AV eight 26 to 28 lbs.

The female is one-third less at leasts the white of the neck is less
pure, generally, indeed, mottled with olive-brown, and with some
rufous about the fase and eyes ; the pectoral band is incomplete,
and consists of broken spots ; the abdomen is less pure white
and the flanks paler brown and more spotted. Length 3^
feet. Young mdes resemble the females, and it is only the
largest old males that have the neck pure white, as described
above ; in most there being a few brown specks on the neck*
In the old male, too, the neck appears very thick, the feathers
being well puffed out and full. A fully grown adult male stands
very high, above 4 feet. The gular sac is stated to be able to
hold about three quarts of water.

This noble bird is found throughout considerable part of India,
most common in the West, and not known in Bengal or Behar, nor
in the Malabar Coast. It is found occasionally in the Camatic and
Mysore, tolerably common in the Deccan and in the Southern
Mahratta countrjr^ extending through Central India as far East at
all events as Saugor and Be wah, and abundant in Rajpootana. I have
not heard of its occurring anywhere in the valley of the Ganges.

The Bustard frequents bare open plains, grassy plains interspersed
with low bushes, and occasionally high grass rumnahs. In the rainy
season large numbers may be seen together stalking over the undu-
lating plains of the Deccan or Central India. I have seen flocks of
twenty-five and more, and a writer in the Sporting Review mentions
having seen above thirty on one small hill. This writer states his
belief that they are never seen in any district that is not charac*
terized by hilb as well as plains ; but this, from my own experience
I would merely interpret that they do not frequent alluvial plains,,
but prefer the undulating country; for I have seen them on
extensive plains, where there were merely a few ridges or emi-
nences, and nothing deserving the name of a hill close at hand.
Towards the close of the rains, and in the cold weather before
the long grass is cut down, the Bustard will often be found, at all

120 GAME BIBDS OF INDIA.

events in the heat of the day, concealed in the grass, but not for
the purpose of eating the seeds of the Roussa grass, as the writer
above alluded to imagines, rather for the large grasshoppers that
abound so there, and which fly against you at every few steps
you take. During the cold weather the Bustard frequently feeds,
and rests during the day likewise, in wheat fields. When the
grass and com is all cut, and the bare plains no longer afford food
to the Bustard, it will be found' along the banks of rivers where
there is long grass mixed with bushes, or the edges of large tanks,
or low jungle where there is moderately high grass, or it wanders
to some district where there is more grass, for though, they do not
migrate, yet Bustards change their ground much according to the
season, and the supfdy of grasshoppers and other insects. The
hen birds, remarks the writer quoted above, generally congregate
together during the rains, are very timid, and frequently, when a
sportsman is pursuing a single one, she will attempt to seek safety,
fatally for herself, in some large bush, particularly if the gunner
turn aside his head, and affect not to see her at the moment of
hiding. The cock-birds, at this season, feed a mile or so apart
from the hens, and stretching their magnificent white necks, stride
along most pompously. Besides grasshoppers, which may be said
to be their favorite food, the Bustard will eat any other large
insect, more especially Mylabris^ or blistering beetle, so
abundant during the rains ; the large Btiprestisj Scarabai, cater-
pillars, &c., also lizards, centipedes, small snakes, &c. Mr. Elliot
found a Quail's egg entire in the stomach of one, and they will
often swallow pebbles or any glittering object that attracts them.
I took several portions of a brass ornament, the size of a No. 16
bullet, out of the stomach of one Bustard. In default of insect
food, it will eat fruit of various kinds, especially the fruit of the
£yr (ZizyphuB jujuba) and Caronda {Carissa €arandas) ; grain,
and other seeds and vegetable shoots.

The Bustard is polygamous, and at the breeding season, which
varies very greatly according to the district, from October to
March, the male struts about on some eminence, puffing out the
feathers of his neck and throat, expanding his tail, and ruffling
his wings, uttering now and then a low deep moaning call heard a

INDIAN BUSTABI>.> 121

great way off. The female lays one or two eggs of a dark olive
green, faintly blotched with dusky. I have killed the young, half-
grown, in March, near Saugor.

The Bustard has another call heard not unfrequently, compared
by some to a bark or a bellow ; chiefly heard, however, when the
bird is alarmed. This is compared by the natives to the word
hook^ hence the name of hookna, by which it is known to
the villagers about Gwalior. When raised, it generally takes
a long flight, sometimes three or four miles, with a steady, con-
tinued flapping of its wings, at no great height above the ground,
and I never found that it had any difficulty in rising, not even
requiring to run one step, as I have many times had occasion to
observe when flushing them in long grass or wheat fields. On
the open bare plains, it will sometimes run a step or two before
mounting into the air. A writer in the Bengal Sporting Magazine
asserts that he has known the Bustard ridden down, and that
after two or three flights it is so exhausted as to allow of its
capture. I imagine that a healthy bird would tire out the best
horse and rider before giving in*

At times a single Cock-bustard can be very easily stalked so as
to get within distance of a fair shot^ 50 or 60 yards, or even mearer,
by rapidly moving obliquely towards them, as mentioned previously
when speaking of Sand-grouse ; when several are together they
are more wary, but even then can often be approached within one
hundred yards. If there is any bushy or uneven ground to favor
the gunner, the task is comparatively easy. Occasionally they
may be flushed in long grass, or Dhal fields, or even Wheat fields,
and an easy shot obtained ; and I once brought down two birds^
right and left, in a wheat-field near Saugor.

Many spoitsmen kill it with the rifle, and one sportsman on
the Bombay side is known to have killed above one thousand
Bustards with his rifle; chiefly, I believe, in the Deccan and
Southern Mahratta country. A young Bustard, or a full grown
hen bird are very excellent eating ; the flesh is dark, and very
highly flavored ; but in an adult cock it is rather coarse.

A large Bustard has been seen in various parts of China which

«

is perhaps this species, or some closely allied one, may-be, OtU

122 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

lucionefisis. A very closely allied species, O. auatralis, Gray, occurs
in Australia^ where known, to some of the Colonists as the Wild
Turkey. Other species are Eup. nuba^ Rupp; E. ludwi^ Riipp;
E. eaffra^ Licht. {Stanleys Gray) ; E. Denhami^ Children ; E.
arabsy L {abyssinieay Gray) ; and E. kof% Burchell.

The European Bustard, O. tardoj Linnaeus, belongs to restricted
Oti8. It has a long white moustachial-tuf t The short limbs, short
bill, and general form give it quite a different aspect to that of the
Indian Bustard, and I can understand its being called a Turkey. It
is found throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and used to
be occasionally captured in England ; and its peculiar attitudes
during the courting season have been ably illustrated by Wolf
in' his Zoological Sketches.

Gen. HouBABA, Bonaparte.

Syn. ChlamydoHsy Lesson.

Cftar.— Legs rather short ; neck of the male furnished with a
ru£f, and occasionally crested; bill rather lengthened, much
depressed at the base.

The ruffed Bustards are birds of moderate size, frequenting the
open sandy deserts, the type of which is Otis houbara of Gmelin,
from Northern Africa, which occasionally passes over into Spain.
One species is found in the North-western Provinces of India.

39. Houbara llacqueeiiii, Gray.

Otis, apud Gray — Hardwigkb 111. Ind. Zool. — Gould, Birds
of Asia, pt 111, pi. 8 — 0. mannorata, Gray, Hardwicke, 111.
Ind. Zool. 1, pL 60 (the female) — Tilaor^ K.-^Obarra in the
Western Punjab — Hurriana Florikin of Sportsmen in the N. W. P.
— figured in Bengal Sporting Magazine^ 1833.

The Indian Houbara Bustard.

Deser. — Male, head beautifully crested, the crest consisting of
a series of lengthened slender feathers in the centre of the crown*
white with a black tip in front, wholly white behind; upper
plumage, including the neck, pale buff^ somewhat albescent on the

INDIAN HOUBABA BtSTABO. 123

wing-coverts and deeper on the back ; tipper tail-coyerts and tail
all delicately and minutely pencilled with black, and each feather
with a sub-terminal black band visible externally, and another at
the base of the feathers ; upper tail-coverts with the black bands
narrower, distant, and more or less ashy ; tail banded with bluish-^
ashy, and all the lateral feathers broadly tipped with creamy
white ; greater wing-coverts tipped with white ; primaries white
at their base, black for the terminal half, and most so on the
outer web ; lesser wing-coverts and scapulars more or less spotted
with black, not barred ; the shorter quills and the winglet black,
the former tipped with white ; the cheeks are white, with black
shafts and tips ; the throat white ; neck fulvous ashy ; belly and
lower parts, including the lower surface of the wings, white;
under tail-coverts slightly barred ; the neck-ruff in its full integrity
during the breeding season begins from the ear-coverts, the
feathers are moderately long, about 2 inches, and entirely black
and silky ; on the sides of the neck they are at least 6 inches long,
white at the base and with black tips ; and, where they terminate
are still longer^ wholly white, varying in texture and with more
or less disunited webs, very fine and curving downwards
below.

Bill homy slate-color ; irides bright yellow ; legs greenish-
yellow. Length 25 to 30 inches ; extent 4 feet ; wing 14 to 15
inches ; tail 9 to 10; tarsus 3$ ; bill at front 1^. Weight 3^ to
3|lbs. (Adams states the iris to be black, and the sclerotic yellow.)

The male in non-breeding or winter plumage, appears to want
the fine crest, and in some, apparently, the greater part of the
ruff, as in the one figured in -Hardwicke's Illustrations. A
figure among Burnes' drawings represents the male bird with his
coronal crest, but having the upper portion only of the neck-ruff^
which forms a conspicuous ear-tuft as in the lAkh, Florikin, but
of ordinary shaped feathers. Can the ruff also be a seasonal
ornament of the Cock-bird? This is not alluded to in any of the
notices .of the Indian Houbara that I have seen, but is not unlikely.

The female is said, by the writer of the article in the Bengal
Sporting Magazine alluded to above, to resemble the male ; and a
specimen, supposed to be that of a female killed at Hansi, agreed,

124 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

says Mr. Blyth, ** very "well with Hardwicke's figure, except that
the mottled black patches on the upper parts are smaller, and more
numerous,* and scarcely appear on the wings which should have
been colored paler ; tlie pencilling in front of the neck is very
delicate; the tail is banded with light ashy (appearing blue)
slightly bordered with black. The coronal feathers are all, in the
mass, considerably lengthened, there is no indication whatever
of the medial crest ; the lower third of the lateral neck-tufts are
white, but the front of the neck, below the dull white throat, is
imiform pale buff, minutely freckled with black, and at its base are
some lengthened plumes of a pale ash color impending the breast.^'

Another specimen agrees nearly with the Hansi bird, but has
a slight crest, or apparently the remains of a crest in process of
being shed, confined to the forehead only, and there are but few
traces of white upon the black or upper tuft of lateral neck
plumes. Mr. Blyth is inclined to regard the crest as a distinctive
characteristic of the breeding season only, when it would probably
be more developed in the male than in the female.

I am strongly inclined to think that O. marmorata^ Gray, in
Hardwicke's Illustrations, is intended for the female in ordinary
attire. It has generally been considered as the female of Sypheth
tides benffalensis^ but the whole style of the markings is that of
the Houbara rather than of the Florikin. The only difference is
that the white of the wing is not shown ; but, on the other side,
the primaries of the hen Florikin are black. It may, indeed, be
a young Houbara.

According to Captain Boys the female assumes the ruff in
the breeding plumage but not the crest ; but so few observations
have been recorded about this bird, that it is yet possible (and
probable from analogy) that the hen bird possesses neither crest
nor ruff. The female of the African Houbara, according to
Temminck, has neither crest nor ruff. The figure among Bumes'
drawings may be that of a young male in his fiirst breeding season
before the ruff had been fully developed ; and in this drawing and
that of marmarata^ the irides of both are represented as vinous
red, whilst that of the adult is said to be yellow. This bird is
so exceedingly similar to the African Houbara (£f. undulata^

INDIAN HOUBARA BUSTARD. 125

that I consider them to be doubtfully - distinct, but Gould and
Other late writers still separate them, the black on the crest of the
Indian bird being one of the chief distinctions.

The Indian Houbara is found throughout the plains of the
Punjab and Upper Sindh, occasionally crossing the Sutlej and the
Indus lower down, and it has been kiUed at Ferozepore, Hansi,
and in various parts of Hurriana, but no records exist of its
occurrence eastwards of Delhi. It is probably a permanent re-
sident^ as no notice is given of its occurring at any particular
season. It frequents open sandy and grassy plains, or undulating
sandy ground with scattered tufts of grass, also wheat and other
grain fields; and is generally met with in such bare and open ground
that, being shy and wary, it is approached with difficulty, ex-
cept in the heat of the day, when it lies down in a thick tuft,
or other shelter, and can be approached with ease. Major James
Sherwill informed me that it is very abundant across the Indus
at Derajat and towards the frontier of Sindh ; and that a black
hawk which hunts in pairs often kills a wounded bird, and has
been seen to strike a sound one. The Houbara is much hawked
both in the Punjab and Sindh, and the Falcon exclusively used
for this purpose is the Charragh {Falco saeer^ vol. 1, p. 30). It
occasionally baffles the Falcon by ejecting a horribly stinking
fluid which besmears and spoils the plumage of the hawk ; just
as, in Africa, its congener is stated to behave towards the Sakr
falcon. Adams states that it is very destructive to yoimg wheat
fields in winter, eating the young shoots, but its chief food is
doubtless insects of various kinds. The flesh is said to be ex-
ceedingly tender, and is often so loaded with fat, that skins are
with difiiculty dried and preserved.

This species is common in the bare stony plains of Affghanistan,
where it is stated to occur in packs of five or six together, to fly
heavily, and for a short distance only, soon alighting and running,
and is there called Dugdaor. It also occurs in various other
parts of Asia, in Mesopotamia and elsewhere; it has been
occasionally killed in Europe, and one specimen was shot in
England in Lincolnshire, which had its craw filled with caterpil-
lars, snails, and beetles.

126 GAME BIKD8 OF INDIA.

The egg of this species procured in Mesopotamia, is Bgured in a
late yolume of the Illustrated Proceedings of the Zoological Society.
It is of the usual color. H, umiulata, the Houbara of Northern
Africa and Arabia, is often killed in Spain, and is said to be a great
delicacy. 0* ruficnata^ A. Smith, perhaps belongs to this genus.

Gen. Stpheotides, Lesson.

Syn. CamaHtis, Reichenbach.

Char. — Bill moderately long and broadish ; legs lengthened,
with a large portion of the tibia bare; in nuptial plumage the male
with more or less white wings^ and mostly black plumage, highly
crested or with ear-tufts, and, ia some, the breast plumes greatly
developed, iremales larger than the males.

This genus comprises the large Florikin of Bengal, and the lesser
Florikin of Southern India, called the Likh or Leek in the North.
In both of these species, the hen bird undergoes no change of
colour at the vernal moult, but is considerably the larger and
heavier bird ; whilst the cock changes to nearly all black, and
a crest or ear-tuft is developed. The down at the base of the
body-feathers is a beautiful rosy-pink colour, and these are very
loosely set, coming off very readily.

40. S3rpli60tid6s bengalensis, Gmelin.

Otis, apud Gmblin— Blyth, Cat. 1540 — 0. deliciosa. Gray —
Hakdwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. 1, pi. 61 and 62 — O. Himalayana,
YiGOBS — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pL 73,74,75 — Charraa^ or
Charaj, or CharaZf H. — called Dabat in the Nepal Terai.

The Benoal Florikin.

Deser. — Male, in full breeding dress, has the whole head^ which
is very fully crested, neck, breast, and lower parts, with the thigh-
coverts, deep glossy black ; the plumes of the breast elongated,
forming a full breast-tuft, and the feathers of the neck in front
also lengthened ; the back, with the scapulars and the tertiaries,
rump, and upper tail-coverts, rich olive buff, closely and minutely
mottled with jet black zig-zag markings, and a black dash in the
centre of each feather ; shoulders, wing-coverts, and quills, pure

BENGAL FLORIKIIV. ' 127

white, with the tips, shafts, and outer edges of the first three
primaries only black ; tail black, minutely mottled with buff, and
with a broad white tip.

Bill dusky above, yellowish beneath ; irides brown ; legs
dingy pale yellowish ; the knee-joint and the toes livid blue.
Length 24 to 27 inches ; extent 44 to 47 ; wing 14 ; tail 7 ;
tarsus 6 ; bill at front 1^ ; weight 3^ lbs.

The female has the head (which is moderately crested), and the
whole upper plumage pale fulvous, with black and brown mot-
tlings, barrings and vermiculations ; the ear-coverts are whitish,
and the neck is minutely dotted with dark lines ; the primaries are
banded dark brown and fulvous. Irides dull yellow ; legs dirty
yellow. Length 28 to 29 inches ; extent 50. Weight 4 lbs.

Young birds are probably at first colored like the females.
Males, in winter dress, (perhaps only the younger bir()s^) have the
head, neck, and wing-coverts as in the female, the primaries white,
and more or less of the lower plumage black, as in one of Gould's
figures. Many birds in this state of plumage are killed during
the cold weather and even as late as July. I think it doubtful if
young males assume this plumage the first year, and I am in-
clined to consider that it is the winter dress of all except, perhaps,
very old males. Perhaps males of the previous year do not
assume the full breeding dress at the first spring moult ; and it is
possible that older birds may always retain it more or less, for in
February I have shot Cock-birds with the whole head and neck
black, but the crest and pectoral plumes not developed, and the
feathers of the neck thin and short. Hodgson indeed asserts that
the Cock bird always retains his fully adult livery, but that the crest
and breast-hackles, in their most entire fulness, are only assumed
as a nuptial dress. I have not myself had sufiicient opix)rtunitie8
to decide on this point ; but, judging from the analogy of the Likh
Florikin, I would be inclined to think that all, except perhaps very
old birds, do lose part of this black plumage on the neck and
wing-coverts in an autumn moult ; but that they assume this some-
what irregularly in point of time. In these imperfectly colored
birds, too, the back, upper tail-coverts, and tail are lighter, with
less black, and more of a fulvous hue with brown markings.

128 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

Hodgson says that the sexes are equal in size. I have measured
and weighed many lately, and invariably found the difference
nearly as great as that mentioned above, and the difference of
colour in the irides of the two sexes is apparently constant.
Analogy with the Likh Florikin would also suggest the inferiority
in size of the male bird, which is, however, more marked in that
species.

This fine bird is found throughout Lower Bengal north of the
Ganges, extending to the south bank above the junction of the
Jumna, and thence spreading through the valley of the Jumna into
Rajpootana, the Cis-Sutlej States, and parts of the Punjaub ; in the
east it occurs in Dacca, Tipperah, Sylhetand Assam, and northwards
to the foot of the Himalayas. It frequents large tracts of moderately
high grass, whether interspersed with bushes or otherwise, g^ass
churrs on risers, and occasionally cultivation, but it appears to be
very capricious in its choice of ground, several often congregating
in some spots to the exclusion of others that seemed equally
favorable for it. From February to April it may be seen stalking
about the thin grass early in the morning, and it is noticed to be
often found about newly burnt patches; or one or more may be
noticed winging their way to some cultivated spot, a Pea-field,
or Mustard field, to make its morning repast ; after which it flies
back to some thicker patch of grass to rest during the heat of the
day. Birds, at this time, as well as during the earlier part of the
year^ are usually found singly, sometimes in pairs, male and female
not far distant from each other ; or, as stated previously, three or
four will be found in some favored spot.

According to Hodgson, the Florikin is neither monogamous, nor
polygamous, but the sexes live apart at no great distance ; and
this appears to be very probable. The Florikin breeds from Jand
to August. At this season the Cock-bird may be seen rising
perpendicularly into the air with a hurried flapping of his wings,
occasionally stopping for a second or two, and then rising still higher,
raising his crest at the same time, and puffing out the feathers
of his neck and breast, and afterwards dropping down to the
ground, and he repeats this manoeuvre several times successively,
humming, as Hodgson asserts, in a peculiar tone. Such females as

BENGAL FL0RIKIS7. 129

happen to be near, obey this saltatory summons ; and^ according to
Hodgson, when a female approaches, he trails his wings, raises and
spreads « his tail, humming all the while like a Turkey-Cock. I
have seen the cock-bird performing this nuptial dance repeatedly,
but have not witnessed the subsequent ceremonials, which, however,
are likely enough.

At this time the hen Florikin is generally to be found in lower
ground and thicker grass, and -is flushed with difficulty, running
far, and almost allowing herself to be walked over. She lays from
two to four eggs in some sequestered spot, well concealed in the
grass, of a dull olivaceous tint, more or less blotched and coloured
with dusky. Hodgson calls them sordid stramineous, minutely
dotted and more largely blotched and clouded with black ; he also
states that the young remain with their mother for nearly a year ;
but I look on this as doubtful. Two females are said not unfre-
quently to breed near each other.

The flight of the Florikin is a steady, flapping flight, of no great
speed, and it seldom flies very far before alighting. It is occa-
sionally hawked with the Baz and Bhyree. It feeds chiefly on
insect food, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, but will also
eat small lizards, snakes, centipedes, &c. ; and Hodgson says,
sprouts and seeds of various plants, and that their diet is chiefly
vegetable. This, however, is opposed both to my own experience,
and the analogy of the other members of this family. It occasion-
ally, however, does eat sprouts and flowers of certain plants, but
whether from choice, or taken in along with some grasshopper
or beetle, I cannot say.

When feeding, or on bare ground, the Florikin is shy and wary,
and will often rise at some distance, but sooner or later takes refuge
in a thicker patch, and may be approached with ease ; or it will
elude the gunner altogether by running to some distance, or squat-
ting. In the heat of the day it is generally flushed pretty close, even
when the sportsman is on an elephant. In general, it is a silent
bird, but if suddenly startled, will rise with a shrill metallic chik-
chih^ occasionally repeated during its flight. The Florikin is highly
esteemed for the table, being considered by some the most
delicious game in the country ; the flesh is brown without, with a

r *

130 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

layer of white within, juicy, and of a very high flavour. In
some districts it is eagerly sought for by sportsmen, but is most
frequently, perhaps, seen when tiger or large game are being
hunted for with a long line of elephants, and consequently many
escape being fired at The churrs of the Burhampooter river are
said especially to abound with Florikin, even to Upper Assam. Parts
of Rungpore, Pumeah, and Goruckpore, all afford fair Florikin
shooting, as do many portions of the N. W. Provinces, from Delhi
to Bohilcund and Oude.

41. S]rpheotides auritns, Latham.

Otis, apud Latham — Jabd. and Selby, 111. Orn., pi. 40, 92 —
Belanger, Voy. aux Ind. Orient. Zool., pi. 10— Jbhdon, 111. Ind.
Cm. pi. 33.— Blyth, Cat. 1542—0. fulva, Sykks, Cat. 167—
Jerdon, Oat. 282 — Charaz or Charas^ H. in the South of India —
Chullacharz^ H. in some parts — Likh^ H. in Hindoostan — Tan-mor^
Mahr. — Kan-noul, Can. — Niala mmZt, Tel., the last three names
signifying Ground pea-fowl— Wurrajfu Ao/i, Tam. — Khartitar^ of
the Bheels near Mhow, L e.. Grass-partridge — ^vulgo, Glias ha
murghif or Grass Fowl.

The Lessee Florikin.

Descr. — Male in full breeding plumage, with the head, neck, ear-
tuf ts^ medial wing-coverts, and the whole lower plumage deep blacl^
the chin alone being white ; lower part of the hind neck and a
large patch on the wing white^ the rest of the plumage fulvousi
beautifully and closely mottled with dark brown; the first three
primaries plain dusky brown, the remainder both barred and
mottled with brown. The down at the base of all the feathers
is a beautiful pale dull rose-colour, and the quills, when freshly
moulted, have a beautiful bloom, mingled pink and green, which,
however, soon fades. The ear-tufts are about 4 inches long, and
have usually three feathers on each side, with the shaft bare, and
a small oval web at the tip, curving upwards. The primaries are
much acuminated, sometimes ending in a point almost as fine as a
needle.

Bill dusky above, the edges of the upper, and all the lower
mandible yellowish; irides pale yellow, clouded with dusky; legs

LES6ER PLORIKIN. 131

dirty whitish yellow. Length 18 to 19 inches; wing 8 ; tail 4;
bill at front li^ ; tara^s barely 4. Weight 16 to 18 ozs.

The female has the prevalent tone of her plumage pale f ulvous-t
yellow, the feathers of the head, back, wings, and tail, clouded
and barred with deep brown, those on the head mostly brown ; the
fore-neck with two irregular interrupted streaks^ increasing on the
lower neek and breast, the lower plumage thence being unspotted
and albescent; the hind neck is finely speckled with brown; the
chin and throat white ; the first three primaries, as in the male, un«
spotted brown ; wii^-coverts with only a few bars ; azillaries
brown.

Bill, legs, and iride» as in the male, but the irides generally
unclouded yellow. Length 19 to 21 inehes ; wing 9|; tail nearly
5 ; bill at front 1^ ; tarsus 4^. Weight 20 to 24 ozs.

The male, in winter dress, closely resembles the female, but has
alway»^some white on the shoulder of the wing; and some of the
wing-coverts also partially white; the under wing -coverts being dark
brown, whilst in the female they &re fulvous. Of course during
the vernal and autumnal moults, male buds with every gradation
of eolour will be met with, and some of these are figured in the
Betujal Sporting Magaziner and in Belanfer'$ Voyage. The differ*
enee between the size of the male and female is much more marked
in this species than in the last.

Franklin and Sykes havi»g, in their respective Catakgues, pro*
nounced the common Florikin of Central and Southern India
distinct from the Black Florikin, I entered at some length in my
Catalogue, and abo in my Illustrations, inta thi» subject, and from
the latter work I extract the followint; observations :—

^ My reasons for believing the Black and the commonr Florikin
to be one and the same bird, may be here briefly recajntulated.

Isihf. ^'All Black Florikin hitherto examined have been male birdsi

2ndlj. '^ The Bhu:k Florikin agrees exactly ki size, and com-*
parative dinnensions, with the male of the common FlorUdn, ad
described fully by Colonel Sykes, but more especially in the
length of wing, and acumination of the primary quills, the points
insisted on by him, and most correctly so, as the essential points
of difference from the female*

132 GAME BIRDS OF IKDIA.

8rd/y. ^ Some black feathers are in general to be found on erery
Cock-bird, not however always noticeable (ill the feathers of the
abdomen are pulled aside ; and this mottling with black varies
from a feather or two to so many that the bird would be consi-
dered by sportsmen a Blcuik FlorUcin,

Athly. ^ 1 have watched the prc^ressive change in birds at Jalnah,
where a few couple always remain and breed, from the garb of the
female to the perfect Elaek Fhrikin, and back again from this the
BupUal plumage, to the more sober livery' of the rest of the year.

dthly, *^ I have seen more than one specimen of the cock-bird
in the usual grey plumage, which, from some cause or other, had
not as usual dropped the long ear-feathers, but these had, in con-
formity with the change in the system causing this alteration of
plumage, become white.

** These reasons will, I trust, be considered sufficient to convince
the most sceptical sportsmen of the identity of the common and
Black flarUdn, Other testimony might be brought forward in
suppoit, but I shall only cite that of Lieut Foljambes, in a brief
paper in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal^ who, from
observations in Guzerat, where they appear very numerous, states
it as his belief that they are the same bird, but tliat the Black one
is only met with in Guzerat daring the monsoon, which, as we shall
soon see, is the breeding season."

The Leek or Lesser Florikin is found throughout India^ from
near the foot of the Himalayas to the Southernmost districts^
but has not, I believe, been seen in Ceylon. It is more rare
in Northern India and Bengal, but has been killed even in
Arrakan. It is most abundant in Central and Western India during
the rains, and in Southern India in the cold weather, whilst those
that have occurred in Bengal and neighbouring districts have
chiefly been seen in the hot weather or commencement of the
rains. I saw it on the banks of the Ganges in April and May,
and know of its having been occasionally killed in Pumeah in May
and June. In the Camatic, Mysore, the Deccan, and Northern
Circars, it is chiefly found in the cold weather, from October to
February and March; and in the westernmost portion of Central
India and Western India, Guzerat, the neighbourhood of Malwah

LESSER FLOBIKIN. 138

and Indore, and the southernmost portion of Rajpootana, chiefly
during the rains, from June to September. The few that I saw in
Saugor and the neighbouring country, occurred during the hot
weather, at which time they leave the dried-up dbtiicts of Southern
India^ and migntte north in search of suitable shelter and food.
As great part of the eastern portion of Central India^ from the
Godavery to Midnaporc and Chota Nagpore, consists more or less
of forest and jungles, the majority are drawn westwards into
Malwah, Bajpootana, and Ouzerat. Few occur in Malabar, but in
Southern Canara there is at least one locality where they may be
foundjn the cold weather.

*' The lesser Florikiu frequents long grass in preference to any
other shelter. It is, however, often to be met with in grain fields,
ill fields of Cotton and Dholl, and in the Carnatio so much in
those of the grain called IVarragoo^ as to be called in Tamool
Warragoo hJft^ or Warragao Fowl. It feeds chiefly in the
morning, and is then easily raised, but during the heat of the day
it lies very close, and is often flushed with difficulty. I have
known an instance of one being killed by a horse stepping on it
Now and then an exceedingly wary one is met with, which runs
to a great distance, and takes wing well yut of shot When
walking or running it raises its tail, as is represented on the
drawing, the lateral feathers diverging downwards, whilst those of
the centre are the most elevated, as is seen in domestic fowls, &c.,
forming what Swainson calls an erect or compressed tail. The
chief food of the HorUdn is grasshoppers. I have found also
blister beetles, {Myhbrie) Scarabcsi^ centipedes^ and even small
lizards. When flushed suddenly it utters a kind of sharp ' quirk,'
or note of alarm, and it is said also to have a feeble plaintive
chirp or piping note, when running or feeding. Its flesh is very
delicate, and of excellent flavour, and it is the most esteemed here,
of all the game birds. Its pursuit is consequently a favorite sport,
and from the open nature of the ground it frequents, it is well
adapted for being hawked. I have killed it occasionally with the
Luggur^ but generally with the Skaheen^ and have already given
an account of the manner of hunting it. Should the S/udieen^
mks her first stoop, I have seen the Florikin accelerate its speed so

134 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

greatly, that the falcon was unable to come up fvith it again under
600 yards or so. I have seen one struck dead by the WokhaJ^^
Aquila Vindhiana\ I had slipped a Luggnr at it, which was in
hot pursuit, though at some little distance behind, when two of
these Eagles came down from a vast height, and joined in the
chase. One of them made a headlong swoop at it, which the
Florikin most skilfully avoided, only however to fall a victim to
the talons of the other, which stooped almost immediately after its
confederate, and dashed the poor bird lifeless to the ground. It
had not, however, time to pick it up, for I rode up, and the Eagles
soared off most unwillingly, and circled in the air long above
me. The Florikin had its back laid open the whole length."*

A few birds appear to breed in all parts of Southern India,
from July to November, for I have put the hen bird off her nest
in August in the Deccan, and in October near Trichinopoly ; and
have heard of the hen having been found incubating still later, up
to January indeed ; but the majority breed, in Guzerat, Malwa
and Southern Rajpootana, from July to September. I have
found the cock-bird commencing to assume the black plumage at
the end of April, and have killed them with the black ear-tuft
just beginning to sprout, hardly any other black feathers having
appeared. In other instances I have noticed that these ear-tufts
did not make their appearance till the bird was quite mottled with
black. The full and perfect breeding plumage is generally com-
pleted during July and August At this season the male bird
generally takes up a position on some rising ground, from which
it wanders but little, for many days even ; and during the morning
especially, but in cloudy weather at all times of the day, every now
and tlien rises a few feet perpendicularly into the air, uttering
at the same time a peculiar low croaking call, more like that
of a frog or cricket than that of a bird, and then drops down again.
This is probably intended to %ttract the females, who, before their
eggs are laid, wander greatly ; or perhaps to summon a rival cookj
for I have seen two in such desperate fight as to allow me to
approach within thirty yards before they ceased their battle.

* Jerdon^s lU. Ind. Orn. I p.

LESSEE FLOBIKIK. 135

The female lays her eggs in some thick patch of grass, four or five
in number, (one writer says seven,) of a dark olive colour, with or
without a few darker blotches, of a very thick stunted, ovoid
form, very obtuse at the larger end. During this season the
females are very shy and wary, seldom rising, though often run-
ning great distances ; and when closely approached and unable to
run further, perhaps, without being seen, squatting so close as to
allow a man or dog almost to tread on them before they take flight

I have never put up or taken a young Florikin. Soon after in-
cubation has fairly commenced, the cock-birds appear to leave the
breeding district, and gradually migrate southwards. At Trichino-
poly, about the end of September and beginning of October, the
birds first met with are all cock-birds, generally in pretty fair
plumage, but very rapidly assuming their more sober winter garb ;
and females are very rare till much later in the season.

The Lesser Florikin is occasionally snared and brought in alive
by some bird-catchers, but the gun is had resort to in general to
procure it. It is invariably called Charraz by all Mussulmans in
Southern India, although Mr. Hogdson asserts that I had no right
to apply that name to it, and I have not yet learnt in what parti-
cular districts it is called XtAAy most probably in the N. W.
Provinces. I have not been able to trace the origin of the Anglo-
Indian word ' Flarikinj ' but was once informed that the little
Bustard of Europe was sometimes called Flanderhin, Latham
gives the word ^Flercher* as an English name, and this, apparently,
has the same origin as Florikin.

The small Bustard of Europe, Otis tetrox, L., now classed as Tetracff
campestris, is stated to have occurred in the Peshawur valley ;
but as I have not seen a specimen from that locality, nor heard
of one having been examined, I shall only give a brief description
of the species here, without enumerating it as one of the ' Birds of
India.' The bill and legs are short, the male has the usual mottled
brown plumage above, the wing-coverts and the base of the
primaries white, the rest of the primaries greyish-black, and the
secondaries patched black and white ; the tail with two dark cross-
bars, and the tip and base white ; cheeks, ear-coverts, and neck
bluish-grey, edged with black, and below this a white ring in the

loH GA3IE BIRDS OF INDIA.

fovra of a necklace all round the neck. Length 17 inches; wing
D^. The female has less white than the male ; wants the white
rinn:, and the neck is coloured like the back. In winter the males
are said to resemble females. This small Bustard, or what in India
would be called a Florikin, occurs throughout Central and West-
ern Asia, and North Africa, and is said at times to be gregarious.
It is stated to frequent open plains, and to feed chiefly on vege-
table matter.

Africa appears to be the Head Quarters of the Bustard family,
and there are several forms peculiar to that Continent, whence
.some spread into Arabia. Otis rhaad, Shaw, O. carulescens.
A'ieill., ( Verramvii, A. Smith), and 0. scolopacea^ Temminck,
( 1 'igorsii^ Smith), are classed by Bonaparte under TrachelotiSj
Reichenbach ; and O. afra, Linn., and 0. afroidesy Smith, are
placed under Afrotisj Bonaparte. The last two Bustards (if really
distinct from each other) have quite the coloration of the Syphe-
otides group ; and the same remark applies to O, rhaad,

Otis senegalensis, Vieillot, {rhaad apud Rupell) and O. melano-
paster, Ruppell, are placed under Lissotis, Reich. The latter
also has much the plumage of a Sf/pheotides in non-breeding
dress. Perhaps, from a want of knowledge of the changes of plu-
mage of these birds, some of the above species will require to be
withdrawn.

Tribe Longirostres, Cuvier.

Bill more or less lengthened, slender, and feeble ; wings usually
long and pointed ; tail short ; tarsus moderately long ; toes mode-
rate, the exterior one generally joined to the middle toe by a
sliort web, and the hallux short and raised, absent in a very few.

This tribe contains a number of generally small wading birds,
classed by Linnaeus in Scolopax and Tringa, and many closely
resembling each other in colour and conformation. Most have a
double moult, and the change of plumage is considerable in
many. All are migratory, and several associate in winter in large
flocks; others are more or less solitary. They feed on small
molluscs, worms, and Crustacea, for which they bore in the soft
mud of rivers, lakes, or marshes ; and the bill of some is peculiarly
sensitive at the tip. They nidificate on the ground, laying usually

siffiPES. 137

four somewhat conical eggs, coloured something like those of the
Plovers, and the young run as soon as they leave the shell.

The sternum has a double emargination, the outermost the
largest, and the keel is high ; the bony orbit is very deficient.
The stomach is a muscular gizzard, and the intestines are long,
with small or moderate cieca. The females are, in many cases,
larger than the males ; in a very few, the males are much larger
than the females, and, in these cases, are polygamous.

They are very closely related to the Plovers in structure and
internal anatomy, but differ in their more lengthened bill, slender
form, more aquatic habits, and ^lode of coburation.

The LongiroBtres comprise one large family, the Seolapacida^
and a very small group, differing from them only in external
conformation and colour, the Himantopida ; these last may be
said to bear the same relation to the rest of the tribe, that the Sea-
plovers (Htematopodida) do to the other Plovers, and to which,
indeed, these birds have a general similarity of colour.

Fam. SooLOPACiDA.

Bill typically long, slender, in many somewhat soft towards the
tip, in others hard throughout ; wings lengthened, as are the ter-
tials ; tail short ; tarsus moderately long ; toes slightly united by a
very short web. Plumage brown, of various shades above, white,
more or less tinged brown, or ashy beneath.

The Snipes and Sand-pipers form a continued series, graduating
into each other, with various modifications of the bill, as to length,
strength, hardness, and form. The bill is short in some, as in
THnga; curved in the Curlews; somewhat turned upwards in
Limosa and Terekia; soft in the Snipes, moderately hard in
Totanus. They may be divided, according to these modifications,
(and in one case from the structure of the feet), into Seolopaeinm^
True Snipes; lAmosinm^ Godwits; NumeniruB, Curlews; TringuuBj
Stints; FhalaropinoBy and TotanituBf Phalaropes; Sand-pipers.

Sub-fam. SCOLOPAGIN^, Snipes.
Bill long, straight, rather soft, swollen at the tip, which is gently
bent over the lower mandible ; tarsus rather short ; tail varying
in the number of feathers.

138 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

The Snipes have the richest plumage of the family, the dorsals
and scapular feathers being often streaked with black and yellow.
Their bills are highly sensitive and soft at the tip, and in drying,
shrivel up so as to appear punctured. They feed on worms and soft
larvsB, are chiefly nocturnal in their habits, and have large eyes
set far backwards, giving them a peculiar physiognomy. They
mostly affect concealment, and some of them even frequent woods.

Geiu ScoLOPAx, LiniL (as restricted.)

Syn. RiisHcola^ Vieillot.

Char. — Bill long, thin, more or less rounded, of soft texture,
swollen at the tip, and obtuse ; upper mandible channeled for the
greater part of its length, slightly bent downwards at the tip ;
lower mandible channeled only to the middle ; nostrils basal,
longitudinal ; wings moderately long, very pointed, 1st quill long
est ; tail short, of twelve soft uniform feathers ; tibia plumed to
the joint; toes free to the base ; tarsus short, stout; hind toe short.
This genus, now restricted to the true Wood-cocks, differs from
the Snipe chiefly by the tibia being feathered to the knee. It
comprises birds of larger size and stouter make than the Snipes,
and perfectly sylvan in their habits, as the English name implies.
The humerus is stated to be without air-cells.

42. Scolopaz rusticola, Linn^us.

Jerdon, Cat. 335 — Blyth, Cat 1 605— S. indicus, Hodgson.
— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 319 — Sim'titar, or Tutatarf H.
of some. — Sim-Kukra in Eumaon.

The Wood-cock.

Descr. — Forehead and crown ash-grey, tinged rufous ; a dusky
streak from gape to eyes ; occiput, with four broad transverse
bars of blackish brown ; the rest of the upper part variegated
with chesnut brown, ochre-yellow, and ash-grey, with zigzag lines
and irregular spots of black ; throat white ; rest of under parts
yellowish white, passing into rufous on the breast and forepart
of neck with cross wavy bars of dusky brown; quills barred
ferruginous and black ; tail black, the outer webs edged rufous,
tips ash-grey above, silvery white beneath; bill fleshy grey;
legs livid ; irides dark brown.

WOOD-COCK. 139

Length 14 to nearly 16 inches ; wing 8 to 8^ ; tail 3^. Bill
(front) 3 to 3y^^ ; tarsus 1^ to 1^^; extent of wing 24 to 26 inches ;
mid-toe If. Average weight 9 to 10 ounces, varies from 7 to 14
ounces and more. The female is larger, with the colours more
dulL The wings reach to about 1^ inches from the end of the tail.

The Wood-cock is a winter visitant to the more elevated wooded
regions of India, the Himalayas, the Neilgherries, the Pulneys,
ShervaroySy Coorg, and doubtless all the higher ranges of Southern
India. During its periodical migrations north and south, indivi-
duals are^ occasionally killed in various parts of the country.
Several were procured in the Calcutta market by Mr. Bly th ;
I have heard of its having been at least once obtained in the
Madras market ; and various other instances of its having been
procured in different parts of the country have come to my know-
ledge, viz., at Chittagong, Berhampore, NoacoUy, Tipperah, Dacca,
MasuHpatam, &c. The Wood-cock is late in arriving, generally not
appearing before the middle of October, and usually later ; it leaves
in February. It frequents damp woods, especially if there is a
stream running through, or boggy and swampy spots either in
the wood or just at the edge, and the holes made by its bill when
probing the soft soil for worms, may often be noticed, if carefully
looked for. On the Himalayas, in general, it is difficult to
procure, owing to the extent of the woods and the steepness of the
ground ; but on the Neilgherries and other hill ranges of Southern
India, the woods are small, well defined, and easily beaten by men
and dogs, and Wood-cock shooting is a favorite pastime with sports-
men. I have killed 8 in a forenoon, and have known 16 and 20
killed by two or three guns. In Coorg, where the woods are very
extensive, the sportsman walks up some likely-looking wet nullah,
with one or two men on each side, and gets a snap shot now and
then. Mountaineer states that they breed in the hills near the
snows, in considerable numbera At this season they are seen
towards dusk, about the open glades and borders of the forest on
the higher ridges, flying rather high in the air, in various directions,
and uttering a loud wailing cry. Major Walter Sberwill observed
the same in the interior of Sikim.

140 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

The only other true Wood-cocks are & scOurata^ Horsfield,
from Java ; and S. minor ^ Gmelln, {Americana^ Audub.) eeparated
by Bonaparte as Rusticola,

Gen. Gallinago» Stephens.

Char. — ^Tibia bare for a small space above the joint ; tail with
from 1 6 to 28 feathers^ the outer ones often narrowed ; otherwise
as in ScolopcLx.

This genus comprises the various Snipes, which differ con-
siderably in the form and structure of the tail, and also slightly in
the wings ; they have been considerably 8ub*divided by Bonaparte.

IbL Of rather large size, wings broad, full, and soft; tail of 16
or 18 feathers; the laterals slightly narrowed, Gen. Nemoricola^
Hodgson and Bonap.

43. Oallinago nemoricolai Hodgson.

Jbbdon, Cat 336 — Bltth, Cat. 1606— Jcrdon, IIL Ind.
Orn. pL 9 — Nemoricola nipalensis, Hodgson.

The Wood Snipe.

Deser. — ^Top of the head black, with rufous-yellow longish mark-
ings ; upper part of back black, the feathers margined with pale
rufous-yellow, and often smeared bluish ; scapulars the same^
some of them with zig-zag markings ; long dorsal plumes black
with zig-zag marks of rufotis grey, as are most of the wing-
coverts ; winglet and primary-coverts dusky black, faintly edged
whitish ; quills dusky ; lower back and upper tail-coverts barred
reddish and dusky ; tail with the central feathers black at the
base, chesnut with dusky bars towards the tip ; laterals dusky with
whitish bars; beneath, the chin white, the sides of the neck
ashy, smeared with buff and blackish, breast ashy, smeared with
buff and obscurely barred ; the rest of the lower plumage, with
the thigh-coverts, whitish, with numerous dusky bars ; lower tail-
coverts rufescent, with dusky marks, and the under wing-coverta
barred black and whitisL

Bill reddish brown, paler at the base beneath; irides dusky brown;
legs plumbeous-green. Length 12^ to 13 inches; extent 18;

HIMALATAN SOUTAET SNIPE. 141

wing 5}; tail 2^; bill at front 2|; tarsus If; middle toe l|g.
Ayerage weight 5^ to 7 oz.

This solitary Snipe or Wood Snipe is found in the Himalayas,
the NeilgherrieSy Coorg, and occasionally in Wynaad and other
elevated redone of Southern India and Ceylon ; it is also said
to occur in considerable numbers in the Saharunpoor district, below
Hurdwar, and generally in the extensive swamps at the foot o£
the Himalayas. It frequents the edges of woods near swamps,
and patches of brushwood in swampy ground. It is by no means
either common or abundant any where, and on the Neilgherries,
but few couples are shot in general in one season. It flies heavily,
and having a large expanse of wing, is not unfrequently taken for
a Wood-cock. One from the Neilgherries is recorded in the
Bengal Sporting Magazine for 1833 as having weighed 13^ oz.
Was it not a Wood-cock ?

2nd. Of large or moderate size; the tail with from 20 to 28
feathers ; the laterals (five to ten on each side) highly attenuated
and stiff; in some cases increasing gradually in width. Legs and
feet slightly smaller. Gen. Spilura^ Bonap.

44. Qallinago solitaria, Hodgson.

J. A. S. VI. 491.— Bltth, Cat le07.

The Himalayan Solitabt Snipb.
Deser, — Head above brown, with pale mesial and superciliary
lines ; a dark band from the base of the bill gradually lost in the
ear-coverts ; upper plumage much as in the common Snipe, but
the whole of the feathers more spotted and barred with rufous ;
a conspicuous pale buff stripe along the scapulars and inner edge
of the wing; primaries brown, with a narrow pale edging exter-
nally, and the innermost tipped with white; secondaries and
tertiaries broadly barred with dark brown and pale rufous ; tail
deep black at the base with a broad subterminal band of bright
ashy-rufous, tipped brown, and tiie extreme tip pale ; outermost
rectrices finely barred ; breast olive-brown with white dashes, or
white and brown bars, passing into white on the abdomen and
vent, with some olivaceous bands on the upper belly and flanks, and
the sides of the vent and underrtail-coverts whitish.

142 GAME BIRDS OF INMA.

Bill reddish brown ; irides dark ; feet greenish yellow. Length
12^ inches ; extent 20 ; wing 6^ ; tail 3^ ; bill at front 2| ; tarsus
1^ ; middle-toe 1^. Weight 6^ oz.

The Himalayan Solitary Snipe has hitherto only been found in
the Himalayas, and no detuls of its peculiar haunts are recorded.
It inhabits thin forests, near swampy ground, and in winter has
been killed at from 3,000 to 6,000 feet of elevation. I am not aware
if it occurs elsewhere, but it will most probably be found in
summer in Thibet and Central Asia; indeed, Bonaparte states
that there is a species from Japan which scarcely differs, having
20 to 24 rectrices, the outer ones narrow; it is very probably
Swinhoe's GaUin. megdla^ from China.

45. Gtellmago stenura, Temminck.

Scolopax, apud: Temminck. — ^Bltth, Cat 1609 — S. gallinago
apud Jeedon, Cat. 337 (in part) — S. heterura, and S. biclavus,
Hodgson — S. Horsfieldii^ Gbat — Habdwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. 2,
pi. 54—

The Pin-tailed Snipe.

Descr. — ^Very similar to the Common Snipe in colour; but the
under-wing-coverts and axillaries richly barred with dusky and
white.

Of slightly smaller size than the Common Snipe ; length 9 to 10
inches ; wing 5^ ; bill barely [ya general) 2^ inches ; tail 2 to 2^ ;
tarsus and feet slightly shorter.

The Pin-tailed Snipe resembles the Common Snipe so closely that
it is very seldom discriminated by sportsmen, and often passed
over by the Naturalist. It can, however, be recognised at once by
the richly barred lower wing-coverts, by its shorter beak, and most
conspicuously by its remarkable tail, the lateral featliers of which
are very narrow, ngid, and pointed.

I regret that I have no information of its habits, or of its times of
appearance and departure, as distinguished from the Common Snipe.

3rd. With from 14 to 16 tail-feathers, of nearly uniform
width ; restricted Oallinago, Bonap.

COMMON SNIPE. 143

46. OaUinago scolopacinus, Bonap.

Blyth, Cat. 1610— S. gallinago, Linn. — Sykbs, Cat. 197—
j£RDON^ Cat. 337 (in part) — S. uniclavus, Hodgson — Gould,
Birds of Europe, pi. 321-2, — S. burka, Latham and Bonaparte —
Bharka Bharak^ H, — (Chaha^ Chahar^ H. in various parts*) —
Soorkhab, of some Shikaries, t. «., the Sucker of water — Mukupurediy
Tel., I. «., the long-billed Tumix — i/or«-ti2an. Tarn. — Chegga, Beng.

The Common Snipe*

Descr. — Crown black, divided longitudinally by a yellowish
white line ; a dusky brown eye-streak, and a yellowish superciliary
one; back and scapulars velvet black, crossed with chesnut
brown bars, and with longitudinal streaks of ochre-yellow ; wing-
coverts dusky brown, edged with reddish white ; quills blackish ;
chin and throat white ; cheeks, neck, and breast above mottled
black and ferruginous ; flanks barred white and dusky ; the lower
part of the breast and abdomen pure white ; tail black, with the
terminal third red-brown, barred black and tipped whitish ; lower
wing-coverts white, very faintly barred.

Bill reddish brown, paler at the base ; irides deep brown ; legs
greyish green. Length 11 to 12 inches ; extent 17 to 18 ; wing 5 to
5|, about 1 or .1^ inches shorter than tail; tail 2j^; bill at front 2}
to 3 ; tarsus 1^ ; middle toe 1^. Weight 3| to 5 oz.

Both this and the last species of Snipe are very abundant in
India during the cold Weather, and are not, in general, discriminat-
ed by sportsmen. Snipe arrive in the North of India in small
numbers early in August, but not in any quantity till the end
of September and October. A few are generally found in the
Calcutta market early in August, and in the Madras market by
the 25th of the same month ; the last birds do not leave before
the first week of May. In Upper Burmah, where I noticed
the very early appearance of the Common Swallow, Snipe come in
small numbers towards the middle or latter end of July ; but I
very much doubt their breeding there, or in the marshes of Bengal,
as Adams states that they do. They frequent marshes, inundated

^ According to BacbanaQ, Chaha is applied to various small Waders, but not
correctly to the Snipe.

144 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

paddy fields, rice stubble fields, edges of jheeb^ tanks, and river-
courses, feeding, chiefly at night, on wonns and various aquatic
insects. Their pursuit is a favorite sport throughout Indiat Ai^d
vast numbers are occasionally killed. I have heard of 100 couples
having been killed to one gun in the South of India ; and sixty
or seventy brace is no very uncommon bag for a first-rate shot
in some parts of the country. Snipe always rise with a piping
call, and fly against the wind ; occasionally they alight on bare
or plouglied land, and not unfrequendy take refuge in some
neighbouring low jungle.

Snipe breed in Northern Europe and Asia, laying four eggs
yellowish white, spotted with brown, chiefly at the large end. The
peculiar humming noise made by some Snipe during their flight
at the breeding season, was shown by Moves of Stockholm to
depend on the outer tail-feathers ; and the noise can be imitated
by drawing these feathers attached to a wire rapidly through the
air. The particular sound varies in each species according to
the structure of the taiL

4«A. Tail of 12 uniform feathers ; of small size. Lymnocryptes^
Kaiip.

47. Oallinago gallinula, Lxknjeus.

Stkes, Cat. 198— Jeedon, Cat 338— Blyth, Cat. 1611—
Gould, Birds of Europe, pL 319.

The Jack Snipe.

Veser. — Crown divided by a black band slighdy edged with
reddish brown, extending from the forehead to the nape ; beneath
this- and parallel to it are two streaks of yellowish white, separated
by another of black ; a dusky line between the gape and the eye ;
back and scapulars black, glossed with green, and with purple
reflections; the scapulars with the outer webs creamy yellow^
forming two conspicuous longitudinal bands extending from
the shoulders to the tail ; quills dusky ; wing-coverts black, edged
with pale brown and white ; throat white ; neck in front and upper
breast pale yellow brown tinged with ashy, and with dark longitu-
dinal spots ; lower breast and belly pure white ; tail dusky, edged
with pale ferruginous.

JACK SHIP!. 145

Bill bluish al the base, black lowarcb the tip ; irides deep
brown; legs and feet gre^tlah grej. Length 8^ inches;
extent 14 ; wing 4^ ; tail not quite 2 ; biU at {rent 1} ; tarsus 1.
Weight 1| oas»

The Jack Snipe is generally difiiised throughout India, pre-
ferring thicker coTerts than the Common Snipe^ lyii^g ^ery dose,
and difficult to flush. Now and then considerable numbera will
be met with ; in other places it is rarely seen. It makes its ap-
pearance later than the Common Snipe, and departs eatHer,
breeding in the Northern parts of Europe and Asia.

Various other Smpes are found all over the world. A group
bom South America is separated by Bonaparte as Xtfhe^lau

Gen. Bhtncbl£A, Cuyier.

C?iar. — Bill shorter than in GaUinago, slightly curved downwards
at the tip ; wings rather short, broad, slightly rounded, beautifully
ocellated, 2nd quill longest, 1st and 3rd sub-equal ; tail of 14 or 16
feathers, slightly roimded, short ; tarsus long ; tibia much denuded.

In this genus the females are not only larger than the males
but they are also much more richly colored. It contains three
very closely allied species. Blyth considers it to have some affini-
ties for Evrypyga, a South American bird of rather large size with
ocellated wings, usually placed among the Herons.

48. Bhynehsaa bengaleiisia, LmjsiMus.

Scolopax, apud Linnjbus— Stkes, Cat. 199 — Jbrdon, Cat
384— Bltth, Cat. 1612— B. capensis. Link.— & picta, GUtAT—
R. orientafis^ Hobsheld— Hardwiceb, IlL Ind. Zool.

The Painted Snipe.
J^eacr, — Upper pltunage more or less olivaceous, the feathers
finely marked with zig-zag dark lines, and the scapukrs and inner
wing-coverts with broad bars of black, edged with white; a me-
dian pale buff line on the head, and another behind and round
the eye ;. scapulars with a pale buff stripe as in the Snipe ; wing-
coverts mottled and barred with pale olive and buff; quills oliva-
ceous grey, with dark, narrow, cross lines, blackish towards the
base on the outer web, and with a series of five or more buff
ocelli on the outer web ; the inner web with white cross bands

t

146 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA.

alternating with the ocelli, and gradually changing to buff on
the tertials ; tail olivaceous grey, with four or five rows of buff
ocelli on both webs, and tipped with buff; chin whitish ; neck,
throat, and breast olivaceous brown, with whitish spots or bars;
the lower parts from the breast, white, passing on the sides of the
breast towards the shoulder, and becoming continuous with the
pale scapulary stripe.

The female is darker and plainer coloured above ; the wing-
coverts and tertials dark olive with narrow black cross lines, the
outermost tertiaries white, forming a conspicuous white stripe; lores,
sides of the face, and whole neck, deep ferruginous chesnut,
gradually changing on the breast into dark olive, almost black
beneath, this is bordered on the sides (as in the male) by a
pure white line passing up to the scapular region ; lower part
white, a dark band on the flanks bordering the white ascending
line posteriorly.

Bill reddish brown ; irides deep brown ; legs greenish. Length
of the female 9^ inches ; wing 5f ; tail nearly 2 ; bill at front 1 1 ;
tarsus If; mid-toe If. The male is a little smaller; length 9;
wing 5^.

The African species is generally considered distinct, and is stated
to differ in its narrower quills and some slight variations in the color-
ing of the wings, tail, &c. ; I can see no such difference however in
a Cape specimen in the Museum of the Asiatic Society, and I note
that Gumey in a late paper in the 4bis,' pronounces them to be
identical. 22. auatralisj Gould, from Australia, is also very closely
allied, but the female (only) possesses a peculiar conformation of
the trachea, which is wanting in the Indian bird, this organ passing
down between the skin and the muscles for the whole length of
the body, and making four distinct convolutions before entering
the lungs. It has shorter toes also than the Indian species. A
species from South America, R. semtcoUaris, V. is very distinct

The Painted Snipe is a permanent resident in some parts
of India, breeding in June and July in thick marshy ground, and
laying four eggs which are greenish with large brown blotches and
very large for the size of the bird. It wanders about a good deal
according to the season, and many will be found in paddy fields, in

PAINTED SNIPE. 147

the south of India, In October and November, leading the observer
to conclude that thej are as migratory as the true Snipe. I have
found them breeding in Malabar, the Deccan, and Bengal ; after
the young are fully grown, they disperse over the country.

The Painted Snipe flies heavily and but a short distance, and is
difficult to flush a second time in thick grass. The flesh is very
inferior to that of the Snipe ; and, indeed, is pronounced ' nasty'
by some late writer. Blyth remarks that when surprised, it has the
habit of spreading out its wings and tail, and so forming a sort of
radiated disk which shows off its spotted markings, menacing the
while with a hissing sound and contracted neck, and then suddenly
darting off. The young and the eggs are figured in Jardine's
contributions to Ornithology. It is found throughout India,
Ceylon, Burmah, parts of Malayana, and Southern China, and also
throughout A&ica.

WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

Tribe Lamellibostbes.

Bill thick, depressed, broad, covered with a soft skin^ the
tip alone being homy; the edges in most furnished with nu-
merous laminae ; wings moderately long, Ist and 2nd quills sub-
equal, or 2nd longest.

The birds of this tribe form a very natural and extensive group,
as well marked and recognizable (with perhaps one exception),
as that of the Pigeons. The chief characteristic is the bill, which
differs from that of all others in being furnished at the edges
with thin homy lamellso, more or less numerous and dose, which
serve as a sieve, allowing the water to pass through^ but retaining
any particles of food. The bill, moreover^ is* covered by a soft
skin, the tip alone being homy, and this is called the nail or
dertrunij and is often coloured differently from the otlier portion.

Geese and Ducks chiefly frequent fresh waters, marshes, lakes,
and rivers ; a few preferring salt water. They feed mostly on
vegetable matter, but also on worms and insects, &c., a few only
taking fisL Most of them lay numerous eggs, white or greenish,
and the young follow their parent as soon as hatched. The
majority nidificate on the ground, others on trees or even rocks.
Many are migratory, and their flight is generally powerful, and in
many rapid. They may be said to represent the Basores in this
order in consequence of their easy domestication, numerous eggs,
and the excellent food they afford.

The sternum is large and wide, but of very thin texture, and
has one fissure on each side ; the tongue is very large and fleshy,
with the edge toothed ; the gizzard is large and highly muscular,
land the cssca generally long, with a long intestinal canaL The
trachea of the male is, in many, dilated near the bifurcation
into capsules of varied form, and, in some, is elongated and enters

150 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

into a cavity in the keel of the stemnm. In many instances the
male has a large intromittent organ.

They may be divided into the following families : —

laf. — Phcenicopteriday Flamingoes, with uncommonly long legs
and long neck.

2nd. — Cygnxd<Bj Swans, with lengthened neck but short legs.

3n/. — AnsericUB, Geese, &c. The legs generally placed more
forward than in the next family.

4th. — AnatidiBj Ducks, with short legs placed iar bctck.

btL-^Mergida^ Mergansers, with the bill distinctly toothed
at the sides.

Fam. Ph(enigopterid^.

Neck and legs of enormous length ; bill suddenly bent down.
There is only one genus.

Gen. Phoenicoptebus, L.

Bill high at the base, suddenly bent down, the margin lamellate
and dentate ; legs very long ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ;
tarsus scutellate ; feet short ; wings moderate, 1st and 2nd quills
sub-equal, longest ; neck very long.

The Flamingoes have the fleshy tongue and anatomical structure
of the Ducks ; the bill is laminated to allow the superfluous water
to pass off, and they appear to feed on various minute animal and
vegetable substances which they find in the soft mud of the lakes
and salt-water lagoons they frequent, for scooping up which, their
peculiar bill Appears well adapted ; when searching at the bottom,
their heads are bent forwards tiU the deflected portion of the
bill is horizontal The diameter of the gullet in these huge birds
is very minute.

The Flamingoes were long placed among the GraUatores^ in
consequence of their very long legs, and are still so classed in
many foreign works on Ornithology. Swainson, I believe, was one
of the first who perceived their affinities to be with the AnserimB,
and I cannot understand how any one can ignore the resemblance.
The bill is quite that of the Ducks, and its relations with this
family are recognised by various races. The Calmucs and Russians

FLAMINQO. 151

call the Flamingo the Bed Groose, and its Hindastani name also
expresses its affinity to the Anserine groap.

1. PhoBnicopterns rosens, Pallas,

p. antiquus, Tbmminck— Bltth, Cat 1750— Sykes, Cat 181
— Jebdon, Cat 373 — also P. minor, apud Jebdon, Cat 374? —
Gould, Birds of Europe pi. 287 — Bag-hansy H., t. e.^ Heron-
goose — Raj'hans of some — Kan-thunti^ Beng. — Pu-konga^ Tel., also
Samdrapa chiUukoj f. e., Sea-parrot — Pu-nariy Tam.

Thb Flamingo.

Ddfcr.— 'Throughout of a rosy white, the rose colour more
marked on the head, back, and tail ; wing-coverts, (except the
primary-coverts, which are white) and the tertiaries fine rosy red ;
quills black, the last of the secondaries white ; lower wing-coverts
black.

Bill rosy, black at the tip ; irides pale golden-yellow; legs
and feet pale rosy-red. Length 4 feet 4 inches; wing 16^;
tail 6 ; bUl 4 ; tarsus 12 ; mid.-toe 3^. Weight 10 lbs.

The female is smaller, and the young birdd have the upper
plumage, especially the wing-coverts, mixed with brown and dusky
spots, and hardly any rosy tinge.

I was at one time inclined to believe in the existence of
another species, which, I was informed, visited India during
the cold weather in small flocks, and in my Catalogue I called
it P. nUnoTj after Temminck. Mr. Blyth was also of opinion that
there was a second species (and Bonaparte named it /%. Blytiiii) ;
but, in his Catalogue, he gave it as a variety of the other. Tern-
minck*s bird, from Africa, is figured by him in PL CoL pL 419,
and is stated to be very distinct.'^ Some specimens in the Museum
of the Asiatic Society are distinctly smaller ; the leg shorter, only 9
to 10 inches instead of 12 ; but the. bill is nearly equally large, and
the wing only 1 inch or so shorter. Two of these appear in
adult plumage ; and there are others quite similar in dimensions,
evidently in younger plumage, and one with a slightly rusty
coloured head. All these however are probably females, and

* lir. Bljtfa) however, has qnite recently written me thet it is yery like the smftll
Indian race.

152 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

without more informatioii, I shall consider them to be females of
the common species.*

The Flamingo is found, here and therej, throughout India, is very
rare in some parts, and is perhaps chiefly found not far from the sea-
coast. It is very abundant near Madras, in the Pulieat lake ; also
between Madras and Pondicherry, and south towards Tuticoreen ;
it is also met with in the Northern Circars, at the great Chilka lake,
south of Cuttack, and occasionally near the mouth of the Hooghly
and some of the Soonderbun rivers. In Central India and the
Deccan, flocks generally visit some of the larger tanks during the
cold weather, and they are also now and then met with in Northern
India. Adams states that they are not uncommon on the Punjab
rivers and lakes, during the cold weather*

The Flamingo appears to be found throughout the south of
Europe, Africa, and great part of Asia. It feeds on minute molluscs,
small insects and Crustacea, worms, &c., which it scoops up by its
inverted bill together with the soft mud from the bottom of lakes,
salt water lagoons, &c., subsequently rejecting the inorganic matter
with the water through the lamin» of its bill ; I have however
generally found some mud in the stomachs of those that I have
examined. It also eats confervse, and other soft vegetable matter,
and, in confinement, will eat bran mixed with water, boiled rice, &c.

It is said to form a large conical nest of mud, or mud and grass,
and to sit astride on the top of it. A late writer, however, states
that it lays ita eggs on any slight elevation in swamps, generally
on a narrow path between two ditches, and that many nests are
placed together in a line. The eggs are two in number, dull white
and with a very rough chalky surface. Flamingoes do iiot> that I
am .ware of, nidificate in thi« country.

Flamingoes are v^ wary birds ; during the heat of the day they
rest in the water, drawn up in long lines^ with sentinels on either
side which give warning of danger by a trumpet-like call, something

^ M. Yerreauz has characterized a amaU race firom Africa as P. ertfthrecHS, It
resembles the present specifis, bat is smaller ; the tarsus only 10| inches ; the win;
14}, and the head and neck are aurora red. It is probable that this species, if
distinct, may oocasionAUy visit Westera Indiai and perhaps be my small Flamingo,
Cat 374.

FLAMINGO. 1 53

like the cry of the wild goose, a cry which is occasionally repeated
during flight. When feeding, they are more easily approached.
They are excellent eating. I have seen Flamingoes kept alive at
Hyderabad in the Deccan. It has been stated that they sleep on
one leg, with the neck bent back, and the head under the wing.
Nuttall says that they run swiftly, but I have never seen them, even
when in danger, move at any other pace than a stately, moder-
ately rapid walk. They are said to swim well with the port of
Swans, but I have never seen them do so.

Other species, besides P. minor, T., from Africa, are P.
ignipalliatus of South America, and P. erythrauSy Verreaux, if
distinct from our species.

Fam. Ctgnidje.

The Swans are well characterized by their enormously long
necks and moderate feet. They have the bill high at the base
and of equal breadth throughout, are of very large size, and feed
on the seeds and roots of water plants, and also on grass. Their
intestines are very long, as are their caeca. They possess 23 cervical
vertebras. The trachea has no inflation or labyrinth. The sexes
are alike, and they have no seasonal change. The male guards
the female during incubation.

In one group the trachea, after making a slight curve to-
wards the ridge of the sternum, enters the lungs, and there
is usually a fleshy caruncle over the base of the upper man-
dible. To this section belongs Cygnus ohr^ or the Mute
Swan, of which C, immntabilia is the wild race. Others of this
group are (7. niffrieolUs and C. anatoides of South America ; and
the celebrated black Swan, C. atratus, which is separated as
CehnopUf Wagler.

The birds of the next group have the trachea elongated, as in the
Cranes, and entering a cavity in the sternal ridge. They have no
protuberance on their bill, are all white, with black feet, and are
restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. To this group belong the
Hooper Swan, Cygnus mtmctM, and Bewick's Swan, C, Betoickiiy.
of Europe ; and two American species, C, buccinator or the Trum*
peter Swan, and C Americanus.

u

154 WUiD FOWL OF INDIA.

The Hooper Swan, Cygnus muneus^ ia said to have been met
Tvith in Nepal, and a head and a foot, stated (o be from that
country, are in the British Museum ; if killed there^ however,
it could only have been a very accidental visitor, and was more
probably brought from the Tibet side of tbe Hills.

The genus Caaeoroba, Bonap., founded on Anas eoscoroba^
Gmelin, {A. chianii^ lUiger) from South America^ is placed by
Bonaparte at the end of the Swans.

Fam. ANSERiDiK.

Bill moderate or short, narrower in front than behind, more or

less raised at the base ; legs rather long, set more forward on the

body than in the Ducks; plumage of the sexes differing but slightly.

This family comprises several distinct groups, and is divided

into the following sub-families : —

lat. — AnBerincR^ True Geese.

ind. — Cereopstna^ New Holland Geese.

3rd. — Plectropterirue, Spurred Geese.

4tth. — NettapodiruB^ Anserine Teal.

5^. — TadormTUB^ Shieldrakes, &c.

Sttb-fam. Akbebinjs, True Geese.

Bill short, high at the base, conical; nail large, convex; laminar
teeth more or less exposed, short ; nostrils median, large ; tarsus
thick, lengthened ; feet of moderate or rather small size ; wings
ample, moderately long, 1st and 2nd quills longest ; tail short,
of 16 or 18 feathers; legs nearly central; tibia feathered nearly
to the joint ; neck moderately long ; trachea simple.

Geese, as here characterized, have a large heavy body, with a
tolerably long neck and a small head. The wings are long and pow*
erful, and the hind toe is very smalL They live in flocks, breeding
for the most part in polar regions, and migrating in winter to
more genial climates; when flying, they mountain regular long lines,
and emit loud clanging calls. They walk well on land in consequence
of the central position of their legs. They feed entirely on vege-
tables, grazing on grass and young com, their short stout bill being
well suited for biting off the shoots; and they spend the heat of the
day on sand-banks in rivers, or in the centre of large lakes* They

6RET GOOSE. 155

make large nests of grass, &c., on the ground, in marshy places,
and lay several whitish eggs. Daring incubation, the males of
many live apart from the females, and assemble in flocks near
the sea-coast. The first down of the nestlings is mottled. Four or
five species visit India in the cold weather, and probably others
will be identified hereafter.

Gen. Anskb, Brisson.
Char. — Bill very .high at the base, about the length of the
head ; the lamellae, tooth-like, very apparent externally ; nostrils a
little behind the middle ; toes moderately long, claws short and
curved ; neck moderately long. Of large size and grey plumage,
the bill pale, and legs usually reddish.

2. A. cinerens, Metbb.

Blyth, Cat. 1755 — Anas anser, Linn. — A. ferus, Gesnbb— A.
vulgaris, Pallas — GouLD, Birds of Europe, pi. 347 — RcaUf H.
also /f(i;— , Bannaia-hans, — Kallauk — Karhant 9X Bhaugulpore.

The Oret Goose.

Descr. — Head and neck dove-brown, tinged with grey ; the fore-
head whitish; back, scapulars, greater and middle wing<overts
clove-brown, the feathers broadly edged with greyish-white ; lower
back and upper tail-coverts bluish-ashy ; lesser wing-coverts
and base of the primaries bluish-grey ; primaries black, shaded
with grey, with the shafts white ; secondaries black, edged with
white ; rump and sides of the upper tail-coverts white ; tail brown
edged with white, the outermost one almost wholly white ; breast
and upper belly greyish-white, undulated with bars of a deeper
tint ; lower abdomen and under tail-coverts white.

Bill fleshy or dull orange-red, the tip whitish; irides deep
brown ; legs livid fleshy or tile-red. Length 30 to 32 inches ; wing
18 ; tail 6 ; bill at front 2| ; tarsus 3 ; mid-toe and claw 3^ ;
extent 4^ feet ; weight 9 to 12 lbs.

The common wild Goose, or grey lag Goose of England, is a
common winter visitant to the North of India, extending its
migrations to Central India, but rarely seen further South. It is
sometimes met with in small parties of from four to twenty ; occa-
sionally in vast flocks, which feed on young corn, grass, &c., and

156 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

during the heat of the day, rest on some sand-bank in the large
rivers, or in the middle of a tank. This Goose is a wary bird,
approached with difficulty when feeding, but may occasionally be
stalked when on the bank of a river or tank ; I have often killed it
from a boat. The flesh is excellent. In the wild state it breeds
in Northern Europe and Asia, making a large nest among the
rushes, and laying from eight to twelve whitish eggs. It is the
origin of the domestic Goose. It is very similar to, and is occa-
sionally confounded with the Bean-goose of England, A segetum,
but that species is smaller, with the bill proportionally smaller
and differing in colour.

3. Anser brachjrhsrnclias, Baillon.

Blyth, Cat 1756, — A. phaenicopus, Bartlett.

The pink-footed Goose.

Deser, — Head and upper part of neck brown, the lower
part of the neck reddish-ashy ; body above brownish cinereous,
with white undulations ; the longest of the scapulars edged with
white ; upper taU-coverts black, a few of the longest white ; lesser
and median wing-coverts bluish-ashy, edged with white ; the two
first primaries bluish, the others black ; tail black ; breast and
upper abdomen ashy-whitish; lower abdomen and under tail-
coverts pure white.

Bill much smaller than in the last, fleshy-red or purplish, the
base and the nail black ; feet pinkish-red. Length 27 inches ;
wing 17 ; tail 5^ ; bill at front If ; tarsus 3 ; middle toe 3.

This species is said to occur in the Punjab and Western India,
Mr. Blyth stating that he has seen an undoubted drawing of this
Goose made in the Punjab. Captain Irby also records it from
Oudh. It is an inhabitant of Northern and Central Europe.

4. A. albifrons, Gmelin.

Anas apud Gmelin— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 289.

The White-fbontbd Goose.
Descr. — Head and neck brownish, shaded i^ith reddish ; forehead
and part of the cheeks white, surrounded by a dark brown band ;
body above dull ashy-brown, with reddish-white margms to the

DWARF GOOSE. 157

I

feathers ; upper tail-coverts dark ashy, the longest white ; lesser
wing-coverts dull brown, slightly edged rufous ; middle coverts
ashy-bluish, tipped white ; primaries ashy-grey, black at the tip ;
secondaries black ; tail ashy, the feathers edged and broadly tipped
with white ; plumage beneath brownish on the breast and flanks,
passing into whitish grey with spots and wide cross bands of black
on the lower part of the breast, the upper abdomen and flanks ;
lower abdomen and under tail-coverts pure white.

Bill purplish-red, orange-yellow round the nostrils, on the middle
of the upper mandible and the edges of the lower mandible ; tip
whitish ; irides deep brown ; legs orange, the nails white. Length
27 inches ; wing 17 ; bill at front 1| ; tarsus 3 ; mid-toe 2|.

The white-fronted Goose has, within our territories, only been
observed hitherto in the Punjab, Adams stating that it is a winter
visitant to the lakes and rivers of that province. It is found
throughout Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. It is
stated to frequent marshes and rarely to visit corn-fields.

5. Anser erythropus, Linn.

Newton, Ibis, 2, p. 406 — A. minutus, Naumann— A. medius,
Temminok — Bbee, Birds of Europe, pi.

The Dwarf Goose.

Descr. — ^Top of head, forehead, throat, front of cheeks, and
the under and upper taU-coverts pure white ; the rest of the head,
neck, and crop grey, with those parts nearest the white front of
the head darker ; scapulars and back dark brown grey, with trans-
Verse lighter bands; upper wing-coverts blue-grey ; lower, the same
colour as the back, edged with white ; primaries, of the same blue-
grey as the upper coverts ; secondaries black ; tail grey, margined
with white at the tip, and white at the base ; abdomen black, bordered
with white, and the flanks the same dark grey-brown as the back^
each feather edged with lighter and separated from the edge of
the wing, when folded, by a white streak.

Bill orange* ; feet and legs red. Length 22 inches; wing 15 ;
tail 4^ ; weight 4 lbs.

* Mr. Br«e» whose description of tltis Goose I have copied, in his specific
character gives the beak bluck, but in the description orange. Probably the nail
only is black.

158 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

Mr. Newton first showed that this little Goose was the true
erythropus of Linnseas, and that this name had been improperly
applied to the last species. Captain Irbj mentions having observed
this Goose in Oudh. It is chiefly an inhabitant of Northern
Europe, is occasionally taken in Central Europe, and is said not to
be uncommon in Greece. It also inhabits Northern and Central Asia.

The next species has been sometimes placed under Bemicla^
Stephens, and latterly has been separated as Eulabeia by Reichen*
bach. It appears to be intermediate between the Bemacle Geese
and the true Geese, and I shall not give it distinct generic rank.

The teeth of the mandible are dbtinctly visible at the base,
which they are not in true Bemicla; the bill is larger and the feet
are reddish.

6. Anser indicus, Gmelin.

Blyth, Cat 1757— Jerdon, Cat. 375— Gould, Cent. Him,
Birds, pi. 80.

The Barred-headed Goose.
• Descr. — Head white, with two blackish bars on the occiput and
nape; back of neck hair-brown, sides of neck white ; upper plumage
very pale ashy, the feathers edged with whitish and tinged
with pale reddish-brown ; lower back and rump pure pale ashy-
grey, sides of the rump and upper tail-coverts whitish ; tail grey,
white tipped ; wing-coverts pure ashy ; quills grey, dusky towards
the tip, and gradually becoming darker on the secondaries ;
tertials brownish -grey ; beneath, the chin and throat white; neck
brownish-ashy, passing gradually into cinereous on the breast,
whitish on the upper abdomen and the lower abdomen ; vent and
under tail-coverts white ; flanks cinnamon-brown with pale edgings.
Bill yellow; irides brown; legs orange. Length 27 inches;
wing 17 ; tail 6 ; bill at front 2 ; tarsus 2 J ; mid-toe 2i; weight
7 to 8 lbs.

This Goose appears to be peculiar to India, and probably the
adjacent countries north of the Himalayas, where it breeds, as
it is not recorded by Pallas as a bird of Northern or Central
Asia. It 18 chiefly a winter visitant to India, arriving in Northern
India towards the end of October or beginning of November, and

BARBED-HEADED GOOSE. 159

leaving in March. It is occasionally met with in immense flocks
of many hundreds, usually in smaller parties. It grazes on the
liver banks and fields of corn, chenna, &c., retiring about 10 or
11 A. M. to some tank or river, where it reposes during the greater
part of the day, returning to the fields in the afternoon. A writer
in the Bengal Sporting Magazine states that this Goose is found in
immense abundance both in Bundlekund and in the country be-
tween Agra and Gwalior ; but that the larger kind {A. cinereiis) is
not met with in the latter locality. I once saw a couple of these
Geese in the extreme south of India in August, in a small se-
questered tank. This pair may have been breeding there, but
perh&ps they were wounded or sickly birds* This Goose probably
breeds in the large lakes beyond the Himalayas^ where swarms of
water-birds have been observed by various travellers in summer.
It is excellent eating, but perhaps in this respect inferior to
the Grey Goose.

There are several other wild Geese found in the Northern Hemis-
phere, the distinctions between some of which are rather obscure.
Among them are A. segetam^ the Bean-goose, which, besides being
smaller than cinerew, has the nail of the bill black* The Bemacle
Geese have the bill smaller than the true Geese, and the lamellas
are short and not exposed. The legs are generally black. As pre-
viously stated, these are by some placed in a distinct genus, Bernicla^
Stephens. The Barnacle Goose, B. UueopsU^ is smaller than the
wild Goose, and is remarkable for the fable which was believed in by
our ancestors, that it took its origin from the shell barnacles (Lepas) ;
the same tradition was connected with the Brent Goose, B. brenta*
Another Asiatic species is A. ruficoUU^ Pallas. The Snow Goose^
A. hyperboreusy has the teeth very prominent, and has been separat-
ed as Chen. It is white with black primaries. A second species of
this group is A. carulescenSj L., formerly considered the young of
hyperboreus. It has been killed in Britain. A . eygnoides^ L., the
Chinese or knobbed Goose, was considered by Cuvier to belong to
the Swans, but is strictly a Goose with only 16 cervical vertebrae.*
It is domesticated in China, and breeds very readily with the

* Quite recently a Sportnnaa told me that he had shot a large brown-necked
G6oae in the interior of the Himalayas. Could it have been this species ? or A,
ruHcQllitT

160 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

common Goose. Blyth considers the common domestic Goose of
India to be a hybrid between this and A. cinereus. A. canadensis^ L.,
a large Goose with a long black neck, was also considered to
belong to the Swans by Cuvier. It is now classed among the
Bernacle Geese. A handsome group of Geese, typified by A. picia^
Pallas, and A. magellanica, Gml., is found in the icy regions, both
Arctic and Antarctic^ and has been named Chhephaga by Eyton ;
A, juhata^ Lath., from Australia, has been separated as Chlamy-
dochen. The former of these, however, have tracheal labyrinths,
and, if they do not belong to the Tadomina, unite those birds
to the Geese.

The sub-family Cereopsina comprises only one genus and one
species, Cereopsis Nova Hollandug, which has a small bill extend-
ing back on the forehead, long legs bare above the joint, and
a tracheal labyrinth. It seldom enters water. This curious
Goose appears to have some affinities with both the Basores and
Grallatores.

Sub-fam. PLEOTROPTERiNiE, Spurred Geese.

Wings generally with one or more spurs on the shoulder. Bill,
in most, furnished with a boss or protuberance at the base.
Legs in general long. Plumage glossed black and white. Sexes
alike, or nearly so.

The Spur-winged Geese form a small group typified by Anas
gambensisf L., of Africa, of which the Muscovy Duck, A.
moachatay is an aberrant form^ having unusually short legs. The
male is said to guard the nest during incubation. There is only
one species in India.

Gen. Saekidiobnis, Eyton.

Syn. Flectropterus^ Leach (partly).

C/iar. — Bill lengthened, of nearly equal width throughout ; that
of the males usually furnished with a naked, compressed, fleshy
protuberance on the culmen ; wings with one or more tubercles or
blunt spurs at the shoulder ; 1st and 2nd primaries sub-equal
and longest ; legs lengthened ; feet large ; tarsus with sub-quadrate
scales. Of large size. Plumage glossy black above. Sexes nearly
alike in coluur, but the males much larger than the females.

BLACK-BACKED GOOSE. 161

The Spur-winged Geese are found in the hot regions of Africa
and India, where they are permanent residents.

7. Sarkidiomis melanonotus. Pennant.

Anser apud Pennant, Ind. ZooL, pi. 11 — Blyth, Cat. 1763 —
Sykes, Cat. 213— Jbrdon Cat. 379— PI. Enl. 937— TVuAto, H.
and Mahr. — Jutu chilluway Tel. — Comb-duck of Sportsmen in
Madras and Bombay*

The Black-backed Goose.

Descr. — Head and neck white, spotted with glossy black,
the top of the head and back of the neck mostly black;
interscapulars and scapulars, black glossed with purple ; back
ashy-grey, becoming dusky on the rump ; the upper tail-coverts
glossy green ; wing-coverts glossed green; quills black ; tail black ;
all the lower parts pure white ; bill and protuberance black ; irides
dark brown ; legs greenish plumbeous.

Male — Length 30 to 34 inches ; wing 16 ; tail 6 ; bill at front 2^ ;
height of protuberance 2 ) tarsus nearly 3 ; mid-toe and claw 3^.
Weight 6 lbs.

The female is much smaller, less brightly colored, more spotted
on the neck, and she wants the fleshy boss at the base of the bill.
Length about 26 inches ; wing 12 to 14.

This Goose is very common in Central and Western India, less
so in the extreme south, and is very rare in Lower Bengal. It is
generally seen in small parties from four to ten, but occasionally
in flocks of above a hundred : it chiefly frequents grassy tanks,
and is not unfrequently seen in paddy fields. During the rains,
it wanders about a good deal, and may often be seen feeding in
very small tanks, or even in temporary pools of water. It breeds
in this country in July or August, in grass by the sides of tanks,
laying six to eight whitish eggs.

It is not a particularly wary bird, and may generally be
approached tolerably closely. Its flight is not very rapid. This
iioose is not held in very high esteem for the table, but at some
seasons is most excellent, and the young biids are especially

162 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

delicate. It is found in Ceylon and Burmah, apparently not
extending into Malayana.

Other species of this genus are S. africanay Eyton, and S. regia^
MoL, from South America, ("united to the Indian species in Gray's
Genera of Birds). Pkctropterua gambensis. L.^ is the most typical
member of the group and has the longest legs. Anseranoa
melanoleuca, (Latham) from Australia, is a very remarkable type.
The hind toe is long and nearly on the same plane as the anterior
toes, and the feet are only webbed at the base; were it not
for its completely Duck-bill^ it could not be classed here.
The Musk-duck already alluded to, Cairina moschata^ (placed by
Gray among the true Ducks,) is originally from South America ;
it breeds freely with the common Duck, but the offspring are not
fertile.

Sub-fam. Nettapodinje. Bonap.

Of small size ; bill small, high at the base.

These little ducks or rather geese, have much the colouring of
the last group, of which Tney may be said to be miniatures, but
the bill is still shorter and higher at the base, more anserine
in its character, and Gray, indeed, places them among the
AnserincB. Their peculiar aspect, however, and habits demand a
separation. Representatives of the group occur in Africa, India^
and Australia.

Gen. Nettapus, Brandt.

Syn. AnserelUiy Swainson — Microcygna^ Gray.

Char. — Bill small, high at the base, gradually narrowing in
front, the lamellas short, distant, concealed ; nostrils small near the
base ; wings rather short; tail short, rounded, of twelve feathers;
tarsus short ; feet long, hind toe short; claws short and curved.

8. Nettapus coromandelianus, Gmelin.

Anas apud Gmelin — Blyth, Cat. 1766 — Sykes, Cat. 214 —
Jerdon, Cat. 378. Bernicla girra, . Gray — Dendroc. affinis,
Jerdon, Cat. 378 bis., winter dress — Girja and girri^ H. and
Mahr. — Ghangerel and Gangania Beng. — Buliya lians at Dacca —
* Cotton Teal' of many Europeans.

WniTE-BODIED GOOSE-TEAL. 163

The White-bodied Goose-teal.

Descr, — Top of the head black ; back, scapulars and wings
richly glossed with purple and green, the purple prevailing on the
back and scapulars, the wing-coverts and base of the quills
green; rump blackish in the middle, white at the sides; upper tail-
coverts cinereous brown with pale mottlings ; tail blackish brown ;
primary quills with a large white patch tipped with black on their
terminal half, the white gradually diminishing in extent ; the
secondaries only tipped with white ; tertials pure black, glossed
greeq^ externally, purplish within ; face, back of head, and whole
neck and under parts pure white, with a black collar round the
lower part of the neck; flanks white with fine zig-zag brown lines;
vent and under tail-coverts mottled dusky and white.

Bill black ; irides crimson ; legs greenish ochry-yellow tinged
with black at the breeding season. Length 13 to 14 inches ;
wing 6i ; tail 2| ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus 1 ; mid-toe 1 J. Weight
9 to 10 ounces.

The female is duller and more brown, above faintly glossed,
the primaries want the white patch, the sides of the rump and
upper tail-coverts are pale brown ; the top of the head is dusky,
and there is a dark stripe through the eyes ; the neck is mottled
with dusky lines ; the under parts are dirty white, the flanks pale
brown, and under tail-coverts whitish.

This pretty little Goslet (as it may be named) is found over
the whole of India, Ceylon, Burmah, and Malayana, in great
abundance in many parts, more rarely in the North-western
Provinces. It frequents weedy and grassy tanks in moderate or
rather large flocks, flies with great rapidity, uttering a peculiar
cackling call, and is, when undisturbed, very familiar and unwary.
It breeds generally in holes in old trees, often at some distance
from water, occasionally in ruined houses, temples, old chimneys,
and the like, laying eight or ten (sometimes, it is stated, as many as
fifteen,) small white eggs. The young are clad with copious black
down, and are, as a writer inthe Indian Sporting Review ohserves, liter-
ally turned out of the nest by the parent as soon as they are hatched,
and led to the neighbouring water. The same writer states, that
the ducks alone attend to the duties of incubation, the drakea

ItU WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

collecting together in small flocks. I doubt if tliis is always the
case, as I have on more than one occasion seen a pair fly ofi* a tree
in which they had a nest. This bird is not in general held in
high estimation for the table ; still at times it is excellent, and one
writer says ' delicious.' The peculiar shuffling gait of these ducks
when on land has been noticed by Mr. Blyth, who states ^ that after
walking a few steps they always squat.' In the wild state they
probably never alight on the land.

A very closely allied species is N. albipennis^ Gould, from Aus-
tralia, formerly considered identical; and there is another still
more beautiful species from the same country, N. pulclMus^
Gould. The Australian species are described by Gould as nest-
ling on the ground. Another species is found in Madagascar,
JV. aurituSy considered by Gray as the type of Nettapus (as res-
tricted), the Indian species being classed under Anserelloy Swainson.

Sub-fam. Tadobnin^

Bill more or less raised at the base, and flattened towards the
tip. Plumage more or less rufous.

This group comprises the Shieldrakes and Whistling-teal of
hot countries, which, though not separated by Gray from the
true Ducks, form a very distinct division. They have the bill
rather large, and stand high on their legs, which are not set far
back. They may be said to be intermediate between Geese and
Ducks. Some have a speculum or wing-spot like the Ducks, and
an inflated vesicle on the trachea ; but the voice is rather that of
a Goose than a Duck ; the plumage is only moulted once a year ;
there is no seasonal change, and there is but little difference
between the plumage of the sexes. They are chiefly vegetable
feeders, some indeed grazing like Geese, and they have very long
and slender intestines. They are for the most part inhabitants of
warm climates and of the Southern Hemisphere. '

Gen. Dendrocygna, Swainson.
Char. — Bill rather large, lengthened, of uniform width, slightly
elevated at the base ; wings short, broad, rounded, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
primaries sub-equal and longest ; secondaries long ; tarsus long
and stout; feet large, hind toe rather long.

WniSTLING-TEAL. 1G5

The Whistling-ducks are found in the warmer regions of both
Continents. They build either on the ground or on trees. Some
have the toes not fully webbed. They are classed by many
apart from the Shieldrakes, and in their structure somewhat re-
semble the PlectropterincB, but their tints are those of the Shiel-
drakes, though they want the wing-spot. Gray places them in
AnatincB, Two species occur in India.

9. Dendrocygna awsuree, Sykes.

Mareca apud Sykes, Cat. 220— Jerdon, Cat. 376 — D. arcuata,
HoRSF., apud Blyth, Cat. 1762, and others — A. caryophyllacea,
apud SuNDEVALL — Siffi, H. — Saralj Beng. — Harrili hatis in East
Bengal — Yerra chiUuwa^ Tel.

The Whistling-teal.

Descr, — Head and occiput dull wood-brown ; face, ears, and
neck, pale whity-brown, becoming darker on the back of the neck
and upper back, and faintly edged with pale rusty; back and
scapulars dusky black, broadly edged with rusty-brown ; rump
glossy black ; upper tail-coverts chesnut ; tail brown with slightly
paler edges; lesser and median wing-coverts fine rich marone-
red; greater coverts and all the quills dusky black; beneath,
the chin and throat albescent ; the neck whity-brown, passing into
brown, yellowish on the lower neck, and gradually merging into
the deep ferruginous or light chesnut of the whole of the lower
surface; vent and under tail-coverts albescent.

Bill blackish ; irides brown ; orbits bright yellow ; legs and feet
dark plumbeous. Length about 18 inches; extent 27; wing 8;
tail 2 ; bill at front IJ ; tarsus 1} ; mid-toe 2|.

This species is sometimes confounded with D. javanica^ Horsf.,
{areuatay Cuvier), but appears to differ in wanting the lunules on
the neck and breast, in the upper tail-coverts being marone, and
in its somewhat smaller size. It may be the variety indicated
by Horsfield under the name of Meliwis batu.

This Whistling-teal is generally spread throughout India and
Burmah, and is a permanent resident. It associates, in the cold
weather, in numerous flocks, frequenting by preference wooded

166 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

tanks or weedy j heels. The flight is slow and rather heavy, and
during flight it frequently utters the peculiar sibilant, whistling
call from which it derives its. popular name* It generally, perhaps,
breeds in the drier patches of grass on the ground, often at a
considerable distance from water, carefully concealing its nest by
intertwining some blades of grass over it. Occasionally, however,
it builds its nest in hollows of trees, and not unfrequently in nests
made of sticks, and that have, in some cases at all events, been
used by Cormorants or small Herons. The eggs are white,
generally six or eight in number.

Gould figures one of the Australian species under the name of
D, arcuata, Cuv., the Javanese bird, but it appears to me to be
quite distinct.

10. Dendrocygna major, Jerdon.

jERDONjCat. 377 — Bltth, Cat 1761 — Jekdon, 111. Ind. Orn.,
pi. 23 — D. vagans, Eyton, Mss — figured under that name in
Fraser, Zool. typ.

The Large Whistling -teal.

Descr. — Head and neck chesnut^ darker on the top of the head,
whence a dark line extends down the back of the neck ; chin,
throat, and f oreneck pale ; in the centre of the neck there is a
broad patch of small, whitish, somewhat hackled feathers ; upper
part of the back and scapulars deep brown, the feathers edged
with chesnut ; lower part of the back black ; lesser wing-coverts
dark marone, the other wing-covens, wings^ and tail, dusky black ;
lower plumage chesnut ; under tail-coveits (and a few of the upper
tail-coverts also) yellowish white ; the feathers of the flanks much
lengthened, chesnut on one side, and yellowish-white on the other.

Bill plumbeous ; irides brown ; orbits pale livid ; legs and feet
dark plumbeous. Length 21 inches ; wing 9^; tail 2^ ; tarsus 2^;
mid-toe 3^ ; bill at front nearly 2.

This species of Whistling-teal appears to be generally spread
throughout India, but is somewhat rare in most parts of the country :
it is most common in the western districts. I found it tolerably
abundant in the Deccan at Jalnah, indeed as common as the lesser

RUDDY SniELDRAKB. 167

kind, but not breeding in that part of the country. Mr. Blyth has
frequently obtained it from the Calcutta market, and I procured it
occasionally in the Carnatic. I have no authentic record of its
occurrence out of India, but it is probable enough that it occurs in
Burmah, and may, perhaps, be the variety indicated by Horsfield
as Melt wis kembung.

There are species of this (^enus in Africa and South America, one
indeed, D. viduata, is said to occur botli in Africa and America ;
also in Australia, as well as in some of the Malayan islands, and
one species from Australia, has been separated as Leptotarsis
Ei/toni, Gould.

The birds of the next group have, like the Ducks, a brilliantly
colored speculum on the wing. They stand high on their legs,
and the down of the young is said to be pied.

Gen. Casarga, Bonap.

Char. — Bill moderate, slightly raised at the base, depressed
anteriorly, of uniform width, nail large ; laminas slender, very ap-
parent ; wings moderately long, when closed reaching to the end of
the tail, which is short and slightly rounded, of fourteen or sixteen
feathers ; tarsus moderate, stout ; toes long ; hind toe lobed.

These are Shieldrakes with some of the habits of Geese, grazing
in young cornfields. They nestle in deserted holes, also among
rocks and on cliffs, often far removed from water.

11. Casarca rutila, Pallas.

Anas apud Pallas— Blyth, Cat. 1768— Jerdon, Cat. 386 —
Sykes, Cat 215— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 358— A. rubra,
Gmelin — Surkhab, H. of Falconers — Chakwa, Chakioi, H. —
Chakra-baka, Sansc. — Bapana chillutoa, Tel. — * Braminy Duck' of
Europeans in India.

The Buddy Shieldbake.

Descr, — Male, forehead and cheeks pale ochreous-yellow or
ferruginous ; the region of the eyes, crown, and nape, greyish-
white ; the rest of the neck ochreous-yellow, tinged with orange,
surrounded by a glossy black collar nearly half an inch wide ; the
back and scapulars orange fulvous, some of the feathers cd^ed

1G8 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

paler ; upper tail-coverts glossy green-black ; lesser and middle
wing-coverts white ; greater coverts green, glossed with purple ;
primaries black ; secondaries glossy green ; tertials bright fulvous ;
chin pale yellowish ; breast and lower parts orange fulvous, deepest
on the breast.

Bill black ; irides dark brown ; legs black. Length 24 to 25
inches ; extent 44 ; wing 16 ; tail 7 ; bill at front If ; tarsus 2| ;
mid-toe 2^ ; weight 4 lbs.

The female is smaller, wants the black collar, and is more white
about the forehead, chin, and face.

The Buddy Shieldrake or Braminy Duck, as it is called in
India, is a well known winter visitant to all parts of the country.
It is generally seen, even at this season, in pairs or small parties,
frequenting alike rivers, brooks, jheels, and lakes. It walks well on
the ground and grazes in the young cornfields just like Geese ; it
also picks up seeds of grass, grain, &c. A writer in the Indian
Sporting Revieio for 1854 states, that '' it is often found devouring
carrion on the banks of rivers, and is frequently seen banqueting in
company with Vultures, and associating with such other villainous
companions." This must be a very rare ocurrence; I have constantly,
when on the Ganges and other large rivers, been on the watch to
verify this observation, but as yet have never seen anything
approaching to such a habit, and I have moreover questioned
many sportsmen on the subject with a like result Towards the
close of the cold weather, the Braminy Ducks assemble in numbers,
and on the Chilka lake I have seen thousands in one flock in April.
The call is peculiar and Goose-like, (like a clarionet, says Pallas)
sounding something like a-oung^ and hence the name of Aangir,
which, according to Pallas, is given to this bird among the Mongols,
by whom it is held sacred.

It is found over the greater part of Central Europe, being occa-
sionally even killed in Britain ; also in Northern Africa, and great
part of Asia, not extending however far north. It breeds across
the Himalayas on rocks near lakes, as observed by Hooker and
Adams respectively in Sikim and Ladakh ; also in holes of walls,
and occasionally in deserted holes in the ground. Salvin found it
breeding on almost inaccessible cliffsf in Northern Africa far from

WHITE- WING ED SHIELDBAKE. 169

water, along with Kites and Ravens^ and be states that he procured
four white eggs ; other observers say that it lays from eight to ten.
It has bred in the Zoological gardens, and reared four young ones.
The Hindoos have a legend that two lovers for some indiscretion
were transformed into Braminy Ducks, that they are condemned to
pass the night apart from each other on opposite bauks of the river
and that all night long each, in its turn, asks its mate if it shall come
across, but the question is always met by a negative — "Chakwa^
shall I come ? No, Chakwi." " Chakwi, shaU I come ? No,
Chakwa." Pallas states that it does not extend beyond 60*" N. L.,
and that it usually nestles in Marmot's holes^ also in rocks, and
occasionally even in hollow trees. It is held sacred by the Mon-
gols and Calmucs.

12. Casarca leucoptera, Blyth.

Jasdine, Contrib. Om. pL

The White-winged Shieldrake.

•

Descr. — Head and neck mottled black and white^ perhaps pure
white in the adult ; hind neck glossy black ; rest of the upper
plumage, including the tail, blackish brown ; shoulders and wing-
coverts pure white ; greater coverts black ; primaries dusky ; se-
condaries slaty ; tertials lengthened and wide, dusky, the outer-
most with a white border, showing as a white line on the wing ;
neck and breast glossy black ; rest of the lower plumage dusky
castaneous, dark brown on the flanks and under tail-coverts.

Bill and legs black. Length 28 inches ; wing 15 ; tail 6 ; bill
at front 3 ; tarsus 2^ ; mid-toe 3^.

This fine Duck has hitherto been only procured in Burmah, but
I have received information of a so-called ' Black Goose' occurring
in Dacca and other parts of Eastern Bengal, which, from the des-
cription, can be no other bird, and I have hence introduced it
among the Birds of India, and hope this season to procure speci-
mens.

Other species of this genus are C. canoj Gmelin; C. tadar-
noides^ Jardine; and C variegata^ Gmelin, ((7. castanea^ Eyton).
The two former from Africa ; the last from South America^

y

170 WILD FOWL or INDIA.

Gen. Tadorna, I^ach.

Char, — Bill short, high, and gibbous at the base, concave in the
middle ; the tip flattened and turning upwards, of nearly uniform
breadth; the nail abruptly hooked; n^arginal lamellae not pro-
jecting ; wing tuberculated ; tarsus moderate ; feet rather short ;
tail of sixteen feathers.

The Shieldrakes are a well marked group, distinguished by the
peculiar form of their bill. Their legs are set well forward, enab-
ling them to walk with ease. The sexes are nearly alike. They
breed in clefts of rocks or holes in the ground. Pallas remarks
that they do not extend far North, and that they are very partial
to salt lakes, feeding much on small Crustacea.

13. Tadoma vulpanser^ Fleming.

Blyth, Cat. 1769 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 357 — A.
tadoma. Link. — ^Tad. Bellonii, Stephens — ShcJi murghahi and
JNirajiy in Sindh.

The Shieldbake.

Deacr.-'^Milej head and upper part of neck deep blackish<*green,
with glossy reflections ; lower part of the neck, back, wing-coverts,
rump, and base of the tail white, the latter black-tipped ; scapu-
lars black ; primaries black ; greater-coverts, forming the speculum,
rich bronzed green, three or four of the secondaries next the
back, with their outer webs rich orange-brown ; lower plumage
white ; a broad band of ferruginous brown across the breast, the
ends passing upwards and uniting between the shoulders ; a mesial
line on the abdomen, widening at the vent, black ; under tail-
coverts pale reddish-brown.

Bill blood-red ; irides brown ; legs fleshy-red inclining to
crimson. Length 23 inches ; wing 13 ; tail 5 ; bill at front 2^ ;
tarsus 2 ; mid-toe 2 ; weight about 3 tbs.

The female has the colors somewhat more dull, and wants the
pectoral band.

The Shieldrake is not common in any part of India, and is un-
known in the South. It has been occasionally procured in the

SHIBLDBAKE. 171

Calcutta Bazar by Mr. Blyth, is sometimes met with in the N. W.
Provinces, in Sindh, and at the foot of the Himalayas, and has been
observed«by Mr. Simson, b. o. 8., in Eastern Bengal

It occurs throughout Europe, the greater part of Asia, and North-
em Africa, and breeds in deserted rabbit holes. The male at
the breeding season acquires a large fleshy boss at the base of the
upper mandible. The trachea is furnished with a labyrinth. The
voice is goose-like.

Two other species of Tadoma are recorded, both from Australia,
T, radjah, Gamot, and T, mjBvosa^ Gould. . The former of these, •
which is said to be somewhat intermediate between Tadoma and
Casarca^ has been made the type of Radja by Eeichenbach, but
Gray in his List of Genera applies that name to Leptotarsis of
Gould, one of the \yhi8tling-ducks. The other species has been
made the type of Siictonetta by the same Systematist.

The Egyptian Goose, A, agyptiaca, Gmelin, of which the genus
Chenalopex, Swainson is formed, appears to belong to this group,
rather than to the PlectropteriruB, to which it is referred by Gray.
It has a small spur on the bend of the wing, its colouring is gay,
and it has a single inflated labyrinth in the trachea. It was revered
by the ancient Egyptians on account of the affection it displayed
towards its young. Other species are recorded by Gray ; , some
from America.

Fam. ANATiDiB.

Bill broader at the base than high, shallow, depressed, of nearly
equal width throughout, or wider at the tip ; both mandibles with
numerous transverse lamellae ; nostrils sub-basal or nearly median ;
tarsus moderately short, set far back on the body.

The Ducks differ from the last family by possessing a longer,
shallower bill and shorter tarsus, and having the lamellss of the bill
more highly developed.

The sexes usually differ much in colour : the males of many
assume the female plumage for a short period immediately after
the breeding season, resuming their proper colouring at the
autumn moult. They feed partly on vegetable matter and
partly on minute worms, larvae, &c. They have, for the most

172 WILD FOWL OF I»DIA.

part, a considerable dilatation of the oesophagus, and very long
ccEca. The trachea is almost always inflated at its bifurcation
into cartilaginous labyrinths, of which the left is genially the
larfrer.

They are divisible into two distinct groups or sub-families.

1. AnatiruBj True Ducks with the hind toe small and not
webbed.

2. FuUgvlincBy Pochards or Sea Ducks, with the hind toe larger
and bordered with a distinct web.

To these some add the ErismaturiruB^ by others considered a
group of the Fuligulin<B.

Sub-fam. ANATiNiS.

Hind toe not bordered by a membrane ; head of moderate size ;
neck long and more or less slender ; bill usually of even width
throughout, or wider at the tip, not raised at the base ; lamellae
numerous, fine ; legs set a little more forward than in the next
group, and they can walk tolerably well. The wings of most are
long, and they fly rapidly.

The first genus has the bill much dilated at the tip.

Gen. Spatula, Boie.

Syn. — RhynchasptSy Leach — Clypeata^ Lesson.

Char, — Bill long, the upper mandible wide, flattened in front of
the nostrils and much dilated at the tip, or spatulate ; the nail
small ; lamellae very fine, like cilias, and projecting ; tail slightly
cuneate, of fourteen feathers ; tarsus short. Cosmopolite.

In this genus, the lamellae are developed to their greatest
extent, and it is considered by some to be the type of the group.

14. Spatula cl]q>eata9 Linn.

Anas apud Linn^us— Bltth, Cat. 1770— Jerdon, Cat. 382 —
Stkes, Cat. 217— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 360 — Tidari^ H.
of some — Alipat in Sindh.

The Shovelleb.

Descr, — Male, head and upper part of the neck deep brown,
with glossy green reflections; back dark umber-brown; scapulars

SHOVELLER. 17S

white ; rump and upper tail-coverts brown, glossed with blackish-
green, the sides of the rump white; tail brown, the feathers
edged with white, and the outer one wholly white ; lesser wing-«
coverts pale greyish-blue; median tipped with white; greater
coverts, forming the speculum, brilliant green ; primaries umber-
brown ; tertials rich purplish-black ; lower neck and breast white ;
abdomen brownish-red; lower tail-coverts brown, glossed with
blackish-green.

Bill brownish-black; irides yellow; legs orange. Length 20
inches; wing 10; tail 3^; bill 2|; tarsus 1^; mid-toe 1|.

The female has the head pale reddish-brown with fine dusky
streaks ; the rest of the upper parts dark brown, the feathers
edged with reddish white; lesser wing-coverts slightly tinged
with pale blue ; speculum not so bright as in the male ; under parts
reddish, with large brown spots.

Towards the end of summer, the male bird puts on a peculiar
livery, something like that of the female, but with the head black.

The Shoveller is found throughout India in the cold weather in
small parties, often mixed with Gadwalls and other species ; feeding
near the edges of tanks in shallow water among weeds^ chiefly on
minute worms and larvae, which it sifts from the mud. It is often
late in leaving this country. It is found over both Continents,
breeding, in temperate as well as in northern regions^ in marshes,
and laying ten to twelve oil-green eggs. The intestines of this
Duck are very long, from 9 to 10 feet.

Other species of Shoveller are found in Africa, South America^
and Australia ; and Malacorht/nchus membranaeeus (Latham) is a
somewhat allied form, from New Holland, with the edge of the
, bill prolonged on each side into a hanging membranous flap^

Gen. Anas, Linn, (as restricted).

Char. — Bill of moderate, length, depressed throughout, not so
deep at the base as wide, nearly of uniform width ; the lamellie
shorty projecting very slightly ; the tip rounded ; nostrils near the
base ; tail short, of sixteen feathers ; the middle tail feathers of
some more or less curled upwards.

174 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

There are two or three types of coloration in this genus, even
as restricted. The first in our list has the most variegated and
richest plumage, is of extensive geographical distribution^ and
makes long migrations.

15. Anas boschas, LiNNi&us.

Bltth Cat. 1771 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 361 — Nirqfi,
Sindh. — Nil sir^ H.

The Mallard.

Deser. — Male, head and upper half of neck deep emerald-green
approaching to black on the cheeks and forehead ; a white collar
round the neck ; hind neck brown, with fine transverse grey lines ;
mantle chesnut-brown, with pale margins to the feathers ; rump
and upper tail-coverts blackish-green, the sides of the rump grey-
ish white, with fine transverse undulating lines of clove-brown ;
scapulars greyish-white, with cross wavy brown marks, and some
of the outer ones chesnut, with darker cross lines ; wing-coverts
and primaries brown ; speculum deep prussian-blue, with purple
and green reflections, bounded on each side by a double border, the
inner one velvet-black, the outer white ; tail greyish-brown, all
the feathers bordered with white ; the four central feathers curled
upwards ; lower neck and breast dark chesnut ; abdomen and
flanks greyish- white, with transverse undulating lines of broWn ;
under tail-coverts blackish-green.

Bill pale greenish-yellow ; irides red or hazel brown ; legs orange.
Length 24 inches ; wing 11^; extent 36 ; tail 3^ ; bill 2^ ; tarsus
ij; middle toe 2;^.

The female is smaller, and has all the upper plumage brown,
of difierent shades, the feathers edged with pale reddish-brown ;
the head and neck creamy-white or yellowish with dusky streaks ;
speculum much as in the male ; throat bufi or whitish ; breast and
under parts yellowish-brown, obscurely spotted and streaked with
darker brown; the central tail feathers not turned up. BiU
greenish-grey. ^

The Mallard is apparently not very rare in the North of India,
especially in the North-west, but I have never seen it South of the

SPQTTliD-BILLED DUCK. 175

I

Nerbudda, and have only shot it myself near Mhow, and lately in
£umaon. It has not yet occurred in Bengal. It appears to
remain all the year in Cashmere, and to breed in that country, as
Theobald found the eggs there in May. It is found throughout
the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in temperate regions. It ia
one of the best Ducks for the table, and, as is well known, is the
origin of our domestic Duck.

The birds of the next group have a plain and spotted character
of plumage, and appear peculiar to tropical and southern regions.

16. Anas p(Bcilorh]rnclia, Pennant.

Bltth, Cat 1773— Jerdon, Cat. 387— Sykes, Cat. 218—
Hardwigke^IU. Ind. Zool., pi. — 6arm-paij H. of some Falconers
— Bata of some.

The Spotted-billed Duck.

Descr. — ^Top of the head and nape dark sepia brown, with some
pale brown edgings ; a dark brown line from the upper mandible
through the eye ending in a point ; supcrcilium, whole face, and
neck dingy fulvous with small brown streaks, enlar^ng on the
lower neck ; upper plumage^ including the lesser and median wing-
coverts and scapulars, hair-brown ; greater coverts white, edged
with deep black ; primaries brown ; secondaries, forming a con-
spicuous speculum, glossy green, with a black tip, narrowly edged
with white on the innermost feathers ; tertiaries white externally,
(forming a continuous line with the white coverts), hair-brown
internally ; lower back and rump black ; tail deep brown ; beneath,
from tlie breast pale earthy or dingy white, with numerous brown
spots^ increasing in size on the abdomen and flanks ; vent and
imder tail-coverts deep blackish-brown.

Bill blackish with a red spot at the base, and the tip yellow ;
irides brown ; legs and feet orange-yellow. Length 24 to 25
inches ; wing 12 ; tail 4 ; bill at front 2^ ; tarsus 2 ; mid-toe 2\.
Sexes alike.

This fine Duck is almost peculiar to India, including Ceylon, and
is found throughout the whole country of which it is a permanent
resident ; it is also found in Burmah. It frequents by prcferencci

X

176 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

but not exclasively, well wooded districts, sequestered tanks, and
marshy ground, and in the cold season spreads sparingly over
the barest districts where tanks abound. It is usually met with in
small parties, rarely more than from eight to twenty, and generally
fewer. I have seen it most abundant in Western Mysore and in
Eastern Bengal It nidificates on the ground, among long grass,
laying eight or ten greenish- white eggs. The voice is very like
that of the wild Duck, but is not often repeated. Its flight is rather
slow and heavy. It is one of the very best Ducks for the table,
in my opinion rivalling the Mallard, Gadwall, and Red-crested
Pochard.

Other allied species are A. JlavirostriSf A. Smith, and ^1.
yuttatOf Licht, from Africa; and there are others from the
Oceanic region. A closely allied species from North Africa was
considered the same by Buppell, but Bly th distinguished it, naming
it A. Rilppelliu

The next species has been separated as Ehodonessa by Reich-
enbach.

17. Anas caryophyllacea, Latham.

Bltth, Cat. 1774— Jerdon, Cat. 368— Jerdon, 111. Ind. Om.,
pi. 34 — Gray Hid. Genera of Birds, pi. — Lal-sira, H. of some.

The Pink-headed Duok.

Deser, — ^Male, with the head, cheeks, sides of neck, and hind
neck, beautiful pale rosy-pink, with, in the breeding season, a
small tuft of still brighter rosy on the top of the head ; the rest
of the plumage fine glossy dark chocolate-brown, paler and less
glossed beneath ; speculum and the inner webs of many of the
quills pale reddish fawn or dull salmon colour; edge of the
wing white ; uppermost tertiaries rich glossy-green ; lower wing-
coverts and quills beneath pale dull pink colour^ with a sating

lustre.

Bill reddish-white, rosy at the base and faintly bluish at the tip ;
irides fine orange-red ; legs and feet blackish, with a tinge of red.
Length 24 inches ; wing 11^; extent 39 ; tail 4^ ; bill at front
2i ; tarsus 2^ ; mid-toe 2f .

PINK-HEADED DUCK. 177

The f emule has the pink of the head somewhat more doll and
pale, and the vertex has a brownish spot in somei which is conti-
nued faintly down the back of the neck. The young birds have the
head and neck pale vinous-isabella colour, with the top of the
heady nape, and hind neck, brown ; the whole plumage lighter
brown, in some mixed with whitish beneath.

This very lovely Duck is most common in parts of Bengal, but
is found at times throughout Northern India, is rare in the N. W.
Provinces, and still more so in Central and Southern India. I
have procured it rarely as far south as Madras, and long ago heard
of its occasional visits to the Deccan, but it is only since I have
visited Bengal that I have seen it in its native haunts. It shows
a decided preference for tanks and jheels well sheltered by over-
hanging bushes, or abounding in dense reeds, and in such places it
may be found in the cold season in flocks of twenty or so occa-
sionally, but generally in smaller parties of from four to eight.
During the heat of the day, it generally remains near the
middle of the tank or jheel, and is somewhat shy and wary.
It breeds towards the end of the hot season, and its eggs are said
to be taid among thick grass not far from the water. Its ' cry is
very similar to that of the domestic Duck. The beautiful pale
rosy tint of the under surface of the wings is very conspicuous
during flight, and renders this species very readily distinguishable
even at some distance. This Duck is said also to occur in
Burmah. It is excellent eating. Many other species of Anas are
recorded, but the only other Eastern ones are A. luzonicaj Fraser,
and A. superciliosa^ MiilL and Schleg.

Gen. Chaulelabmus, Gray.

Syn. CkauIioduSj Swains.

Char. — Bill equal to the head, depressed throug^ut, of nearly
uniform widtJi, but slightly narrowing towards the tip, which
has a small nail ; the lamellsB long, projecting ; wings lengthened ;
tail rather long ; the central feathers slightly lengthened.

Gradwalls differ from the true Ducks in their slightly shorter l^ill,
and more lengthened and delicate lameUse. They are said b/

)^

178 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

Selby to be more aquatic than the wild Ducks, and to dive readily,
but I have not observed this latter habit.

18. Chaulelasmiis streperns, Lnm.

Anas apud Linnjeus— Bltth, Cat. 1777— Jeedon Cat 381 —
Stkes, Cat. 216 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pL 366.

The Gadwall.

Descr. — Male, head and neck greyish white, speckled with
brown; back dark clove-brown, with white crescentic lines;
scapulars undulated with white and blackish brown ; rump and
upper tail-coverts black, glossed with purplish blue ; tail cinereous
brown, edged and tipped with white ; lesser wing-coverts grey, mixed
with white ; median wing-coverts rich brownish chesnut ; greater
coverts glossy black ; speculum white above, black beneath ;
quills brown ; tertials brownish grey; lower part of the neck and
breast dark brown with white crescentic lines ; abdomen white,
minutely speckled with greyish brown, and the flanks with brown
and white undulations ; lower tail-coverts glossy black.

Bill brownish black, tinged with reddish beneath ; irides dark-
brown ; legs pale orange. Length about 20 inches ; wing lOj^ ;
tail 3^ ; bill at front 1|; tarsus 1^.

The female bias the head black mixed with whitish, a pale super-
ciliary streak ; the upper parts deep brown, the feathers edged
with buff; the lesser wing-coverts hair-brown, margined paler; the
speculum as in the male ; the tail marbled with brown and whitish ;
the chin and throat white ; breast pale buff, with brown spots, and
the rest of the lower parts white ; the bill paler, and its margins
reddish.

The Gadwall is by no means a rare bird in any part of India,
in the cold weather, generally frequenting the more open and larger
tanks in moderately large parties. Its flight is rapid, and its voice
not unlike that of the common Duck. It is found over the greater
part of the Old Continent, and also in America. It is justly
considered one of the best wild Ducks for the table. No other
species of Gadwall is recorded

PINTAIL DUCK. 179

Gen. Dafila, Leach.

C%ar.— TaU long, of sixteen feathers, with the central feathers
much lengthened and narrow ; neck very long ; bill slightly narrower
than in the preceding forms, and elevated at the base, equal to the
head,, of uniform width ; lamellae not projecting ; wings long, the
1st primary longest.

The Pintails are, by some, not separated from the Teals, but their
larger size, long necks, and lengthened rectrices^ sufficiently charac-
terize them.

19. Dafila acuta, Linn.

Anas apudLiNN^us — Bltth. Cat. 1775— Jbrdon, Cat. 385—
Gould, Birds of Europe, pL 365— Dty-Aon*, Beng.— jKbAaroZi,
Sindh.

The Pintail Duck.

Descr. — Male, forehead and crown umber-brown, the feathers
with paler edges ; the rest of the head, chin, and throat, dark hdr-
brown, slightly glossed behind the ears with purplish green ; fore-
part of the neck and two lateral streaks, passing upwards to the
occiput, white ; neck above deep blackish-brown ; the whole of the
back beautifully marked with transverse undulating lines of black
and greyish-white; scapulars black; upper tail-coverts and tail
dark cinereous brown, the edges of the feathers paler, and the two
central elongated tail-feathers black; wing-coverts and primaries
hair-brown ; lesser wing-coverts smoke-grey ; the speculum black-
ish-green, glossed with purple, bordered above by a pale ferruginous
bar, and below by a white one; tertiaries long and acuminate,
velvet-black, with a broadish edging of greyish or yellowish*
white ; breast and abdomen white, the sides of both with trans^
verse black and whitish lines, and the latter minutely speckled with
grey towards the vent ; under tail-coverts black.

BiU black, the sides of the upper mandible bluish ; irides dark
brown; legs blackish grey. Length 25 to 28 inches; wing nearly
11 ; tail 8i ; bill 2^ ; tarsus 1} ; middle toe 2^.

The female is smaller, has the head and neck reddish brown»
speckled and streaked with dusky; the upper plumage umber-

180 WILD FOWL or INDIA.

browD, the feathers edged with reddish white ; wing-coverts brown,
edged white; lower parts pale fulvous, obscurely spotted with
brown ; speculum dull without the green gloss ; tail, with the two
medial feathers, scarcely longer than the others.

The males of this species are said, by an actual change of colour
in the feathers, to assume the female plumage for a short time after
incubation, but to change it at the autumnal moult.

The Pintail is one of the most numerous winter visitants to
India in the present sub-family, frequenting large tanks and jheels,
often in immense flocks, and flying with great rapidity. Its
long brown neck and lengthened tail causes it to be readily dis-
tinguished when in flight. Its call is soft and subdued, and it is by
no means garrulous. Few Ducks are brought to the different mar^
kets for sale in such abundance as this species, and it is very ex-
cellent eating. Like most of the Ducks, it has a wide geographical
distribution throughout both Continents, and breeds in northern
regions, laying eight or ten bluish-white eggs.

Another species of Pintail is D. bahamensis^ L., the type of
PcBcHonetta^ Eyton.

Gren. Mabsga, Stephens.

Char. — ^Bill short, raised at the base, narrowing towards the tip ;
nail moderate ; lamella distant, projecting in the middle of the
bill ; tail Bhwt, cuneate, of fourteen feathers ; hind-toe small with a
narrow web.

The Wigeons have the bill shorter than in the wild Duck
and Teal, more raised at the base and narrow at the tip, and with
the lamellse short and distant, more like those of the AnserintB.
In accordance with this structure, they live chiefly on grasses, &c.,
which they are said to pluck like geese. In the form of the tail,
and also in that of the tracheal labyrinth, they most resemble the
Pintails.

20. Mareca Penelope, Linn.

Anas apud LiNN-fiUS— Blyth, Cat. 1778— Sykes, Cat 21« —
A. fistularis, Bbisson— Jerdon, Cat. 380-*-Gould, Birds of
Europe, pL Sbd—Cheyunj Nep.

WIOEON. 18 1

Thb Wiqeon.

Descr. — Male, forehead and crown creamy-yellow; rest of
the head and upper part of the neck chesnut-red ; the cheeks
speckled with black ; back minutely barred with transverse wavy
lines of black and white ; scapulars black, .edged with white ; tail
blackish grey ; wing-coverts pure white ; the greater coverts with
velvet black tips, some of the lesser ones, near the body, pale
greyish; quills cinereous brown; speculum of three bars, the
middle one glossy green, the upper and under ones black ; chin
and throat black ; lower part of the neck and breast vinaceous red ;
abdomen white, the flanks with black and white wavy lines;
under tail-coverts black, glossed green.

Bill plumbeous blue, black at the tip ; irides red-brown ; legs
dusky leaden. Length 18^ inches ; wing 10^ ; tail 4} ; bill at
front If ; tarsus barely 1^ ; mid-toe not quite 2.

The female has the head and neck fulvous brown, speckled with
dusky ; the back and scapulars dusky brown with reddish edges ;
wing-coverts brown, edged with whitish ; the speculum without the
dark green gloss ; the breast and belly much as in the male ; the
flanks rufous brown with ashy tips; bill and legs more dusky
than in the male.

In some specim^is, the forehead alone is ydlowish, that tint not
extending over the top of the head.

In summer the head and neck of the male become spotted witJi
black ; the back and scapulars are mottled and barred with brown
and dusky ; the breast and sides are reddish4>rown, with darker
bars and lines ; the under tait-co verts white, with brown bars.

The Wigeon cannot be said ta be either common or abundant
in India, although it is met with occasionally in every part of the
country, in small or moderate flocks. It has a peculiar shrill whist*
ling call chiefly heard during flight. Its geographical distribution
is over the northern and temperate regions of the Old Continent.
It breeds far north, and, though very abundant in Britain^ is only
a winter visitant there.

The American Wigeon is very closely allied, and was formerly
considered identical Jf . castaMa, Eyton, and M. gibbm/hms^

182 WILD FOWL or INDIA.

Mailer^ are eastern Ducks considered to belong to this genua, and
there are others from Africa and America.

Gen. QuEnqrEDULA, Stephens.

Char, — Bill of moderate length and of uniform width, slightly
raised at the base ; the lamellae not apparent ; the nail smalU and
the tip obtuse ; wing long and pointed ; tail wedge-shaped, of 14
or 16 feathers.

The Teals, so called, are simply small Ducks, much of the same
type as restricted Ana8^ but with the bill longer and narrower,
assuming a semi-cylindric shape ; the laminae, too, are shorter and
less prominent They are of somewhat slender make» and fly very
rapidly. Several species are known, all of small size.

21. Querquednla crecca, Linn.

Anas apud Linnjeus — ^Bltth, Cat. 1780 — Stkes, Cat. 222 —
Jerdon, Cat. 384— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 362 — Tukia
bigri, Beng.

The Common Teal.

i7tf«or.— Male, crown of head, cheeks, front and sides of the
neck, ferruginous brown; on the sides of the head, inclosing the
eye, a large patch of deep glossy green, passing off backwards
to the nape in the form of a broad band ; back and scapulars
beautifully marked with transverse undulating lines of black and
white, some of the longer scapulars creamy-yellow, with a portion
of their outer webs velvet black; tail hair brown, the feathers
edged with white; wing-coverts brown, tinged with grey; the
speculum, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts, deep green
in the middle, velvet black at the sides, bordered above by a
broad yellowish white bar ; chin black ; lower part of the neck in
front, and breast, reddish or creamy-white, with round black spots ;
abdomen white; lower tail-coverts blackish-brown, bordered at
the sides with yellowish-white.

Bill blackish ; irides hazel-brown ; legs greyish-brown. Length
14^ inches; wing 7^; tail barely 3 ; bill at front 1^; tarsus If;
mid-toe If.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL. 183

The female has the head, neck, and all the upper parts, dusky-
brown, the feathers more or less broadly edged with pale reddish-
brown ; the throat, cheeks, and a band behind the eyes, yellowish-
white, spotted with black ; the speculum as in the male, and the
under parts yellowish-white.

The well known Teal is one of the most abundant as well as
the earliest of the visitors to India. I have seen it early in Septem-
ber, and it is late before it leaves the country. It frequents
both tanks and rivers, often in immense flocks, and its flight is
amazingly rapid. Large numbers are netted or caught in various
ways to supply the Tealeries* It is a strictly night-feeding species
and about sunset flocks may be seen and heard flying in diflerent
directions to their feeding grounds. Its geographical distribution
is similar to that of most of the Ducks of this sub-family, and it
breeds in northern and temperate regions.

The next species is placed under Pttrocyanea^ Bonap., differing
in having the points of the iamellsB just visible, and the bill slightly
broader in proportion making an approach to the Gadwalls.

22. Querquedula circia, LiNNisus.

Anas apud Linnaus — Bltth, Cat. 1781— Stkbs, Cat. 221, —
Jerdon, Cat. 383— Gould^ Birds of Europe, pL 364— A. quer-
quedula, Linn,

The Blue-winged Teal.

Descr. — Male, ciown, occiput, and a line down the back of the
neck, umber-brown ; over each eye a band of pure white, pro-
' longed down the sides of the neck ; cheeks and upper part of
the neck chesnut-brown, with flne longitudinal streaks of white ;
back brown, glossed with green, the feathers edged with ashy and
yellowish-brown ; scapulars long and acuminate, black, with a
broad ceAtral white streak ; wing-coverts bluish-ash ; speculum
greyish-green, bordered above and below by a white bar ; tail
dusky-grey, the feathers edged lighter ; upper tail-coverts yel-
lowish-white, spotted with black ; chin black ; lower part of the
neck and breast pale fulvous, with crescent-shaped black bars ;

184 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

abdomen white, the flanks with transverse wavy lines of black ;
vent and under tail-eoverts yellowish-white, spotted with black.

Bill blackish-brown ; irides hazel ; legs dusky. Length 15^-16
inches ; wing 8 ; tail nearly 3 ; bill at front If ; tarsus 1^ ; mid-
toe not quite If.

The female has the head, neck, and upper parts, dusky-brown^
the feathers, with whitish edges ; the eye streak faint ; wing-
corerts dark ash-grey ; speculum dull, the green tinge almost
wanting ; the chin and throat white ; the lower part of the breast
and belly white, spotted with brown on the flanks and lower
abdomen.

The Blue-winged or Garganey Teal is, perhaps, still more abun-
dant in India, than the common Teal, but is somewhat later in its
arrival here. It occurs in vast flocks, feeding at night chiefly^
and has a swift flight. Like the last, numbers are caught and
fed throughout the summer in our Te€tlerie8, and both this and the
last are most excellent food. The Garganey Teal does not extend
to America, but is distributed over the greats portion of the
Old Continent.

I have once or twice procured birds with the whole head, neck,
and under parts, deep ferruginous^ but I consider this to be an
individual variation.

Vast quantities of this and the previous species are annually
caught alive, some by large flap-nets, others by nooses fixed to a
long line across a jheel; and in some places, by a man wading
with his head above water concealed in a large earthen chatty,
several of which have previously been set afloat.

The next species has been separated by Bonaparte as EuneUc^
but it only difiers in its mode of coloration.

23. Querquediila glodtans, Pallas.

Anas apud Pallas — Blyth, Cat. 1779 — A. picta, Stelleb
— A. formosa, Geobgi — A. baikal, Bonnatebes.

The Clucking Teal.

D€BeT. — Male, forehead, top of the head, and occiput, rich
purple-brown, bounded by a ni^ow white line from the eye ;

CLUCKING TEAL. 185

face, cheeks, and sides of neck fawn colour; a black streak from
below the eye, meeting a black patch on the throat ; nape and
hind neck glossy-green, ending in a black stripe down the back
of the neck, separated from the fawn colour of the side of
the neck by a narrow white line ; upper plumage finely marbled-
grey, edged with rufous on the back; upper wing-coverts hair-
brown ; the median coverts the same, with an edging of rufous
forming the anterior margin of the speculum, which is glossy-
green, ending in velvet-black, and bordered posteriorly by silvery
white ; primaries brown ; scapulars lengthened, deep black in the
centre, white on their upper side, and rufous externally ; upper
tail-coverts l)rown, white on either side ; tail of 16 feathers dark-
brown ; beneath the throat black ; the neck and breast vinous-
purple, with a few black spots, paling below ; abdomen white,
flanks mottled grey ; under tail-coverts black.

Bill dusky ; legs dusky. Length 15^ inches ; wing 8^ ; tail 3 ;
bill at front 1^ ; tarsus 1^ ; middle toe 1| ; weight Itb.

The female wants the rich markings on the head and face,
which are mottled grey and brown ; the scapulars are not lengthen-
ed ; the upper plumage is dusky, with rufous edgings; the chin and
throat white ; the breast rufous, largely spotted with dark-brown,
as are the flanks ; and the tail-coverts white, with brown spots.

This beautiful Teal has been obtained on very few occasions,
by Mr. Blyth, from the Calcutta Bazar, and there is no other record
of its occurrence in India.

It is a rare bird in Europe, and appears to be most common in
Northern Asia, on the borders of Lake Baikal, extending, to Japan
and China. Pallas gave it its specific name in consequence of its
peculiarly loud ducking-call, mokf moh-mok^ loh^ which Midden-
dorff calls a horrible noise. Pallas states that it breeds in Eastern
Siberia, laying 10 eggs in a hollow in the ground, and that it mi-
grates early.

A. falcatay Pallas, belongs to the same type as ghcitansy but
A. bimaculata is considered to be a hybrid between the Wigeon
and Pintail Q. javana, Bodd., figd. P. E. 930. ; Q. manillensia^
Gmel. ; and Q. numeralisj Miill. and Schl., are Eastern Teal ; and
there are several other recorded species of Querqueduloj some

2 a

186 WILD FOWL OF IHDIA.

from Africa, others American. Not far from the Teala should be
placed the beautiful Summer Duck of North America, Aix iponsa^
h,f and the still more gorgeous Mandarin Duck, A. galerieulaiOt L.
This type, by its somewhat narrow and tapering bill, appears to
grade towards the Mergida. A few other forms of this sub-
family are given by Bonaparte^ but without any Teiy special
characteristics.

Sub-f am. Fuligulih jb, Diving Ducks.

Hind toe short, bordered by a more or less wide web ; wings
shorter than in the last sub-family ; tarsus short, more compressed,
set further backwards ; feet large, the web reaching to the very end
of the toes, and wide ; tail generally short, rounded, or somewhat
wedged.

The Ducks of this sub-family have a larger head and shorter
neck than the true Ducks ; they walk badly in consequence of the
very backward position of their legs, but swim well and dive freely.
There is less difference, in general, between the sexes than in the
last sub-family, and there is only one moult. Many are exclusively
marine Ducks, others partially so ; a few are mostly fresh water, and
to this last section belong all the Indian species. These vary some-
what in the form of the bill and in some other'points, and though
closely related, and all formerly placed under Fuliffula^ are now
divided according to Gray (whose List of Genera I chiefly follow)
into three genera. They comprise the Fuligulea of Bonaparte. The
Pochards generally have a stout heavy body, and firm, close, and
thick plumage, colored in masses, mostly uniform and plain, and
the speculum is less strongly marked or wanting. In all, the
trachea is terminated by a labyrinth, partly osseous, partly mem-
branous.

Gen. Bbanta, Boie.

Syn. Callicheriy Brehm and Gray ; Mergoides Eyton.

Char, — Bill long, barely raised at the base, moderately wide ;
tip depressed, slightly narrowed, ending in a rather large Jiail ;
lamellaei distant, large and prominent ; wings moderate, 1st quill
longest ; tail short, rounded, of 14 feathers.

This genus comprises but one species.

BED-GBEStED POGHABD. 187

24. Branta rnfina, Pallas.

Anas apiid Pallas —Bltth, Cat. 1784— Gould, Birds of
Europe, pi. 369— Stkes^ Cat. 223 and 224 ?

The Red-gbested Poghabd.

Descr, — Male, head, cheeks, throat, and upper part of the neck
reddish-bay ; the feathers on the crown elongated and of a silky
texture, forming a crest somewhat paler than the rest of the head ;
back, wings, and tail yellowish-brown; the bend. of the wing, a
large spot on the sides of the back, the speculum, and the base
of the primary quills white ; lower part of the neck, breast, and
abdomen deep black ; the flanks white.

Bill bright vermilion red, the tip white ; irides red ; legs orange-
red. Length 22 inches ; wing 10^ ; tail 3 ; bill at front 2^ ;
tarsus 1^ ; mid-toe 2|.

The female has the upper parts pale yellowish-brown, darker
on the head and neck, and the crest less developed ; speculum
half greyish-white, half pale brown ; base of the quills white,
tinged with brown ; breast and flanks yellowish-brown ; belly grey ;
bill and feet reddish-brown.

This fine Duck is found throughout the greater part of India,
is more rare in the South, and chiefly frequents the larger tanks
and jheels. It generally keeps to the middle-of the tanks, and is a
wary bird, not usually allowing a near approach. Its flesh is juicy,
tender, and high flavored, and it is, by some, considered the flnest
Buck for the table. A writer in the India Sporting Eemew remarks,
that during the day^ they are constantly on the move, 'now pursuing
one another, now screaming, all up at once, then down again*'

It is chiefly a native of Northern Asia, North-Eastem Europe,
and Northern Africa, (where it is said to breed in marshes, laying
seven or eight brilliant green eggs,) wandering South in winter,
and very rarely extending its migrations as far West as Britain.
No other species of this genus is recorded.

Gen. Atthya, Boie.
Syn. Nyroca^ Fleming.

Char. — Bill long, raised at the base, broad, depressed, and obtuse
at the tip, of nearly uniform width throughout ; lamellae not pro«>

X

188 WIIJ> FOWL OF INDIA.

minent; tail short and rounded, the feathers narrow and some-
what rigid.

This genus comprises two forms, one of which has been separated
as a snb-genus.

The birds of the first group are large Ducks, with the back
usuaDy finely undulated, and some have hence been called Canvas-
backs.

25. Ayth]ra ferinai Linnjeus.

Anas apud Link^ub — Blyth, Cat. 1785— Jebdon, Cat 389 —
Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 368.

The Rbd-headed Pochard.

Descr. — Male, head and neck bright chesnut-red ; upper part
of the back black; middle and lower back, vring-coverts, and
scapulars white, with numerous fine undulating black lines ; rump
and upper tail-coverts black; tail dark ashy-brown; primaries
deep dusky-brown; secondaries bluish-grey; breast black; ab-
domen whitish, faintly undulated like the back, the lines becoming
darker towards the vent ; under tail-coverts black.

Bill bluish-grey, the tip and base black ; irides orange-yellow ;
legs bluish-grey. Length 19 inches ; wing 9 ; extent 30 ; tail 2^ ;
bill at front 2 ; tarsus 1^.

The female has the crown, nape, and sides of the neck, and the
upper part of the back, reddish-brown ; the back as in the male,
but the lines less distinct ; throat and forepart of the neck white,
mixed with reddish ; breast reddish-brown, mottled with white ;
the middle of the abdomen greyish-white.

This Pochard appears to be more abundant in Western India than
in Bengal, but occurs throughout the whole country in small parties,
generally on the larger and more open tanks.

It inhabits Northern Europe and Asia, and breeds among reeds
and plants, laying twelve or thirteen greenish-white eggs.

The American representative is now considered distinct, A.
Americana^ Bonap. ; and there is, besides, in North America, the
A. valUneria, or Canvas-back, said to be the best of all the Ducks
of the New Continent.

WHITB-EYED DUCK. 189

The next species (with some closely allied ones) has been sepa-
rated as NyrocOj and this is admitted as a sub-genus by Gray. The
birds are of smaller size, and have a somewhat different colouration.

26. AjthjA nyroca, Guldenstadt.

Anas apud Guldenstadt— Blyth, Cat. 1789 — Jebdon, Cat.
391 — A. leucophthalmos, Beghstein — A. glaucion, Pallas —
Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 368— £a^%n; Beng.

The White-eyed Duck.

Descr. — Male, head and neck deep ferruginous, with a narrow
collar of blackish-brown on the lower part of the neck ; back,
scapulars, and wing-coverts dusky-brown, somewhat glossed with
green and purple, and the whole finely powdered with pale red-
dish-brown ; upper tail-coverts and tail dusky-brown, with a dash
of ferruginous ; primaries dusky ; speculum white, edged with black
in the lower part ; chin whitish ; lower part of the neck and breast
bright ferruginous ; abdomen and under tail-coverts pure white ; the
lower portion and vent blackish-grey.

Bill bluish ; irides white ; legs grey. Length 16 inches ; wing
7} ; tail 2 ; bill at front If ; tarsus 1^ ; middle toe nearly 2.

The female differs from the male in the head and neck being
brown, the feathers edged with ferruginous ; the upper parts are
glossy umber-brown, the feathers edged with pale brown ; the
irides are less pure white, and the bill and feet are dusky-grey ;
otherwise as in the male.

In the young, there is still less ferruginous, and the irides are
pale brownish.

This little Duck is exceedingly common in Northern and Central
India, less so in the South. It frequents both tanks and rivers,
and prefers grassy tanks and wooded jheels and rivers. It appears
to feed a good deal during the day^ and is met with in large
parties scattered among the grass or weeds, the birds often rising
singly.

This Pochard inhabits the same countries as the other species,
and is occasionally killed in Britain. It is stated to breed in
Northern Africa. One or two allied species are recorded from
Australia, and another from the Marianne islands.

190 WILD FOWL OP INDIA.

Gen* FuLiouLA, Stephens.

Sjm. Platypus^ Brehm— i^w/ia?, Sundbvall.

Char, — Bill moderately long, not raised at the base, broad
throughout, depressed, the sides dilated, and the tip somewhat
broader than the base; lamellaa distant, not prominent; nostrils
advanced ; wings moderate ; tail short, rounded.

These Ducks have the widest bills in this sub-family. The fii*st
species has been separated as Marila, Reich. It has the bill propor-
tionally longer than in restricted Fuliguloj and not quite so broad.

27. Fuligula marila, Linn^us.

Anas apud LiNN-fius — Blyth, Cat. 1787— Gould, Birds of
Europe, pi. 371.

The Scaup Poohabd.

Deser. — ^Male, head and -neck black, glossed with green ; top of
the back and scapulars whitish, with zi^-zag black lines ; lower back
and upper tail-coverts black; tail brown; wing-coverts black,
marbled with ashy ; speculum white ; quiUs brown ; lower neck
and breast deep black ; abdomen and sides pure white, with brown
zig-zag markings on the lower portion ; under tail-coverts black.

Bill clear bluish above, dusky below, the tip black; irides
brilliant yellow ; legs bluish-ashy, the webs blackish.

The female has the head and neck blackish-brown, with a large
white space round the eye ; back, scapulars, and wings with brown
and white zig-zag markings ; lower back and upper tail-coverts
smoky-black ; lower neck and breast deep brown ; abdomen white,
marked with brown posteriorly.

Bill deep grey. Length 19 to 20 inches ; wing 9 ; extent 29 ;
tail 2^ ; bill at front nearly 2 ; tarsus 1^ \ mid-toe 2^.

The Scaup Duck has hitherto only been recorded from Nepal,
and must be a very rare visitant It inhabits the Northern regions
of Europe, Asia, and America, and prefers sea-coasts and the
mouths of tidal rivers to fresh water lakes ; it feeds chiefly on
molluscs.

The American representative of this species is separated by
Bonaparte as F. mariloides ; another species from New Zealand is
recorded by Bonaparte.

TUFTED DUCK. 191

28. Fuligula cristata, Hat.

Bltth, Cat. 1788— Sykbs, Cat 225— Jebdon, Cat 390— A.
fuligula, LiNNiBUS — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 370 — Dubaru^
H. — Nella chilluway Tel. — Golden-eye of Indian Sportsmen.

The Tufted Duok.

Descr. — Head and neok, including the long, pendent, silky
crest, glossy black with green and purple reflections ; back,
wings, and rump black, slightly glossed and powdered with greyish-
white ; breast glossy black; rest of the lower parts pure white; the
▼ent black ; speculum, formed by the secondaries, white, with a
narrow greenish-black edge ; tertials glossy green.

Bill dark bluish-grey, the tip black ; irides golden-yellow ; legs
leaden, the webs dusky. Length 17 inches ; wing 8^ ; extent 28 ;
tail rather more than 2 ; bill at front l^ ; tarsus 1| ; mid-
toe 2|.

The female has the colours somewhat duller and more brown ;
the crest not so long ; the speculum smaller, and the lower parts
spotted with brown. The young want the crest, and Iiave the base
of the bill and region of the eyes varied with white.

The Tufted Duck is very common in Central and Southern India,
less so in Bengal. It frequents open tanks, keeping well away
from the edges, and is generally found in small or moderately sized
parties. It is very late in leaving India, and I once killed one in
June, near Hyderabad in the Deccan. It is found throughout
Europe and Asia, breeding in the North. It feeds on water-insects
and molluscs. The American representative is A. collaris^ Don,
(rufitorquesy Bonap.)

Other Dacks of this sub-family are the Sea-ducks, the Eiders,
Scoters, Steamer-ducks, &c.

The Sea-Ducks are classed by Bonaparte under the Section
ClangulecB, and the Eiders and Scoters under SomateriecB ; they
might perhaps form one sub-family, all having a somewhat similar
style of colouring, and being mostly denizens of Northern Seas.
Among the Clangulece deserving of notice are the beautiful Harelda
glacialis, or long-tailed Sea-duck: this species moults twice a
year, and appears to be very distinct from the other types;

192 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

the bill is short and narrow anteriorly. The Harlequin Duc(,
A. histrionica, variegated in a fantastic way with black and white,
forms the genus Histriomcus^ Lesson. The garrets or golden-eyes
form the genus Clangula. They differ in habit from the other
Sea-ducks, preferring fresh water, and they breed in the hollows
of trees. Their heads appear very full and puffy, and they seem
to grade into the FuligulecB.

The Eider Duck, Somateria molliasima (L.,) is the type of the
next group : its down, and that of the King-duck, S* speetabilis,
are highly esteemed. Anas Stelleri^ Pallas, forms the type of
SteUeria^ Bonap. The Scoters are large dark coloured Ducks that
dive remarkably well, and live on shell-fish. The best known
species are Oidemia nigra^ the Black Scoter, and 0. fusca, the
velvet Scoter, both from Northern Seas.

The Micropterea contain Micropterus eineretu^ the Steamer
or Racer-duck of Southern Seas. It flies badly, having short
wings, but swims and dives with rapidity. CamptoUemus labra-
dorua is another Duck of the same group.

The ErismatariruB are classed as a family by Bonaparte. Their
chief characteristics are the stiff and pointed tail-feathers. Among
the most remarkable forms are Biziura lobata of Australia, with a
large fleshy appendage hanging under the bill ; Erismatura leueace-
phala, from lakes in Northern Asia and Africa,' rarely killed
in Eastern Europe; and there are species of this genus from
Africa, America, and Australia. Nesanetta Aucklandue^ Gray, is
another type, as is Thahsaomis of Eyton.

Fam. M£BGiD.£.

Bill straight, narrow, cylindrical, the tip well bent over ; the edges
of the mandibles armed with strong teeth pointing backwards ;
nostrils median, longitudinal ; tarsus short, set far backwards ; feet
large, hind toe lobed ; wings moderate ; tail wedge-shaped, of 16 or
18 feathers. Form lengthened and flattened. Head more or less
crested.

The Mergansers form a Veil-marked group in this tribe. Their
narrow and toothed bill is very unlike that of the Ducks, although
the teeth are only a modification of the lamellie. Their flight is
strong and swift, but their gait on land is awkward. They moult

HEBGANSEB. 193

in autumn only^ and the colours of the males undergo an
extraordinary amount of change towards mid-summer from an altera*
tion in the colour of the feathers themselves. They do not acquire
their full plumage till the second autumnal moult. They are excel-
lent divers, using their wings as well as their feet ; and they live
chiefly on fish. The tongue is long, pointed and ciliated ; the
gizzard is less muscular, and their intestines shorter than those of
the ducks. They possess two csca of moderate length. The
labjrrinth or the lower part of the trachea of the males is enormous,
and partly membranous. Only five or six species are known. Of
these, two visit India in winter ; one found in rivers in the Hima-
layas ; the ot]|er spread sparingly through Northern India.

Gen. Mebgus, Linn.

Char, — Those of the family.

The following species is separated by Bonaparte as Merganser : —

29. Mergus castor, LiNNiBus.

Bltth, Cat. 1798 — M. merganser, Linn. — M. orientalis,
GotJLD— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 384.

The Mebganseb.

Descr, — Male, head (with a short thick crest,) and upper part of
the neck, glossy blackish-green ; lower part of the neck white ;
upper back and scapulars next the body, deep black ; the rest of
the back and upper tail-coverts ashy^ the tips of the feathers
whitish here and there ; tail ashy-grey; breast, abdomen, and under
tail-coverts white, tinged with orange-bufi*; wing-coverts and
outermost scapulars rich buff-orange^ and the latter edged with
black.

Bill deep blood-red, black on the culmen, paler at the edges ;
irides red ; feet orange-red. Length 26 inches ; wing 11 ; bill
at front 2^ ; tarsus 2.

The female (and young males till the second moult,) have the
head and neck reddish-brown ; the throat white ; the upper plumage
ashy ; beneath yellowish-white, the sides of the breast and the
flanks pale ashy ; a white speculum ; primaries black ; tail ashy-
brown.

2 6

194 WILD FOWL OF INDIA.

Bill and feet dull red. Length 23 inclies ; extent 35 ; wing lOi^;
bill at front 1|.

The Merganser is chiefly f ound, in India, on rivers within the
Himalayas, in small parties. I have frequently seen it on the great
Sungeet in Sikkim, and also in rivers in Eumaon, and on the
Ganges at Hurdwar. One instance only is recorded of its occur-
rence in Central India> it having been procured by Tickell at
Chybassa. Captain Smyth recently gave me two very large con-
cretions found in one of these birds, but I have not yet had them
examined. It is said to breed on holes of trees.

The next species, from its small size, and shorter bill, as well
distinct mode of colouration, is separated as MergeUu^

Gen. Meroellus.

Char. — ^Bill shorter, and somewhat wider than in Mergus^ the
tip much less hooked ; teeth numerous and prominent in the lower
mandible. Of small size. Pied, black and white, tail of 16 feathers.

30. Mergellus albellus, Linn^us.

Mergus apud LiNNiEUS — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 387.

The Smew.

Descr. — Male, a large patch on each side of the base of the
bill enclosing the eyes, and another longitudinal one on the occiput,
black glossed with green ; the rest of the head, occipital crest, and
neck white ; back, some of the lesser wing-coverts, and the pri-
maries black ; scapulars white, edged with black on the outer webs;
secondaries and greater wing-coverts black, tipped with white ;
some of the lesser wing-coverts white* ; upper tail-coverts and tail
bluish-grey ; all the lower parts white, with two crescentic bands
of black advancing from the shoulders, one nearly encircling the
lower part of the breast, the other the upper part of the breast ;
flanks and thigh-coverts with wavy black lines.

. Bill bluish-grey ; irides brown ; legs plumbeous. Length 16 to
17 inches ; wing 7f ; tail 3 ; bill at front 1 J ; tarsus 1 J.

The female has the crown, cheeks, and occiput reddish-brown,
the crest shorter than in- the male ; back, upper tail-coverts, and
tail deep ashy-grey ; wings as in the male, but the dark parts grey

(

SMEW. 195

instead of black ; the throat, sides and front of the upper neck,
and the abdomen white ; and the lower neck, breast and flanks,
clouded with ash colour. Bill and legs dark grey. Much smaller
than the male, and Pallas states that she has only 14 rectrices.

The Smew is found occasionally in various parts of Northern
India during the cold weather. It has been killed near Cuttack ;
in Oude ; is said not to be rare near Delhi ; and has also been met
with in SindL

It inhabits the north of both Continents, breeding in high lati-
tudes in crevices and holes of trees, and laying 8 eggs. The young
have pale or whitish down, and Mr. WoUey, who remarks this fact,
states that no duck that has white down lays its eggs in an
exposed situation; the converse, however, does not hold good,
for the little Cotton-teal, that always breeds in holes, has black
down. It is said to be an excellent diver, and to feed on fish,
Crustacea, and water insects, is very shy and vigilant, and flies
rapidly. During flight it continually utters its peculiar bell-like
call, hence it is called the Bell-duck in Northern Asia. Its flesh
is exceedingly fishy, and, says Pallas, is rarely eaten even by the
Russians. The same naturalist states that it returns very early
from its winter migrations, the females arriving first, they are hence
called Widows by some.

A very handsome species, Mergus cucuUatus^ from America, a
rare visitant to England, is separated by Reichenbach as Lopho-
dytes; and the red-breasted Merganser of Europe, is retained
under restricted Mergus. One or two additional species of this
family are recorded, one of which, Merganetta armata, diflera in its
somev^hat rounded wing, armed with a spur.

FINIS.

Priated at Uie MiUtary Orphan Press, «, BanksbaU Street

>

INDEX.

Page.

BUSH-QUATM 93

Jangle biLsh-quail 94

Painted Do 98

Eock Do 96

Bustards 117

Houbara bustard 122

Large Do • 118

BrSTABD-QUAIL -.... 108

Common bustard-quail ih.

Hill Do 110

Button-quail, The 113

Large Do 112

JLrUCKS ••• •■• ••• •■• ••• ^ I •*

Braminj Duck 167

Gadwall Do 178

Mallard Do 174

Pink-headed Do 176

Pintail Do 179

Spotted-billed Do 175

Shoveller Do 172

Tufted Do 191

White-eyed Do 189

Wigeon Do 181

Flauingo 150

Flobimn 126

Bengal Florikin 126

Leek or lesser Do 1 30

\7JBB8B ••■ ••• ■•• •••■•■ lo4

Barred-headed Goose 158

Black-backed Do 161

Dwarf Do 167

Grey Do 155

Pink-footed Do 156

White-fronted Do 166

Jungle-fowl 49

Grey Jungle-fowl 62

Bed Do 49

Merganser, The 19^

Pabtbidges 70

Black Partridge 71

Chukor Do 77

Grey Do 82

Hill Do. 90

£yah Do 85

Painted Do 74

Scesee Do 80

Snow Do 68

Page,

IrEAFOW^L ••• •!• ••• .«.•«• ill

JrHEASAlVTS ••• •«• ••• ••• •■• }uA

Argus pheasants 29

Blood Do ^.. 85

Cheer Do 40

Xalij Do 45

Monaul Do ... .. 23

Pukras Do 37

PoCHABDS '. 187

B«d-creRted Pochard 187

Red-headed Do 188

Scaup Do 190

^^17 AILS ••• •.• «■• ••• ••..«• VO

Blue-breasted Quail 104

Common Do 99

Eain» Do. ... ... 101

Rock Pigeon or) y

Sand-Gbouse >

Common Sand-grouse 15

Large Do. 9

Painted Do 11

Pin-tailed Do 13

Shieldbake& 167

Common Shicldrakc 170

Ruddy Do 167

White-winged Do 1 69

Smew, The.. 194

UJUIPB ••• «•• .•» ... ...... J *svi

Common Snipe 143

Jack Di) 144

Painted Do 145

Pin-tailed Do 142

Solitary Do 141

Wood Do 140

Snow-cock or )

Snow-pheasant )

Sfub-fowl 54

Painted Spur- fowl 56

Red Do • 64

XEAL *•• ••• ••• ... .* ••. 1 oa

Blue-winged Teal 183

Clucking Do 184

Common Do •.*. 182

Cotton Do 16*2

Wliistling Do 165

Woodcock, The 138

•.. ... ..*

61

• 'I'K.v :

Thib ib the sjauie tut the black- breoskd quail.