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THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES.

dngraned tor the Materadias library

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- THE

NATURAL HISTORY

GAME-BIRDS.

WITH MEMOIR AND PORTRAIT OF
SIR T. STAMFORD RAFFLES.

BY

SIR WILLIAM JARDINE, BART.

F.R.S. Es F.L.8., dec, dee.

EDINBURGH:
W. H. LIZARS, AND STIRLING & KENNEY;
SAMUEL HIGHLEY, LONDON ;
W. CURRY JUN. AND CO. DUBLIN.

1834,

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ADVERTISEMENT.

We now lay before the public the Sixrn VoLuME
of the Natruratist’s Lisrary, embracing the se-
cond portion of the Gallinaceous Birds, and devoted
to the Natural History of those of the feathered tribe
usually denominated Game.

The length of time which has elapsed since the
appearance of the last volume, has been greater than
could have been desired ; but we hope our numerous
readers will again grant us their indulgence for thus
keeping them so long in suspense. In the farther
conducting of this undertaking, the Publisher has
much pleasure in assuring the subscribers, that the
assistance of several of the most talented Naturalists
has been for some time devoted to volumes now ina
state of considerable forwardness. Amongst others,
the Natural History of the Columbidz (Pigeons) has
been undertaken by Mr Sexny of Twizell, author of
the Illustrations of British Ornithology, and will very
soon appear. The drawings have been made expressly
for this work by Mr Lear; and considering the union
of such talents, and the beauty of the objects them-
selves, this volume promises to be one of the most

vill ADVERTISEMENT.

splendid and interesting which has yet adorned the
Naturalist's Library.

The volume on the Natural History of Coleopte-
rous Insects (Beetles), by the Rev. James Duncan,
joint-author of the Entomologia Edinensis, is also
nearly ready for publication ; and the beauty, variety
of forms, and number of the figures (upwards of 110
insects being represented), together with the interest
excited in their extraordinary history, must insure it
a favourable reception. Our volumes on Mammalia
and Ornithology, formed the first attempt at present-
ing the public with so extensive a series of correct
representations of animals, in a highly finished and
coloured form, with their authentic histories, at so
cheap a rate ; and our Entomological volumes will also
be found to realize to the fullest extent the promises
held out in the original Prospectus, The volume
will be enriched by a Memoir and Portrait of John
Ray, the father of Zoological Science in Britain.

Volumes on the Natural History of Deer—of
Dogs—of British Butterflies—of Fishes—Parrots,
&c.—are also in forwardness, so that we may now
safely anticipate regularity of publication for the fu-
ture.

Epinsuncn, December 1834.

am |

CONTENTS

OF

VOLUME FOURTH.

Menor or Sim Tuomas Stamporp Rare es, .

Natural History of Gallinaceous Birds,
Tetraonide or Grouse.
Genus Peapr, = 65 tne
The Common Partridge.

Perdix cinerea, var. montana. Pilate I.

The Mountain Partridge.

Perdiz cinerea. Plate Il. .
The Painted Partridge.

Perdiz picta. Plate Ill. .
The Rock or Barbary Partridge.

Perdix petrosa. Plate IV. .
The Chukar Partridge.

uw Perdix chukar. Plate V. .

The Common Francolin.

Perdix Francolinus. Plate VI.
The Sanguine Partridge.

Perdix cruentata. Plate VII.
The Coromandel Quail.

Coturniz texrtilis. Plate VIII.

Se —— 7 —— =.

x CONTENTS,
PAGE
The Common Quail.
Coturniz Dactylisonans,. . . . O° 96
Latreille’s Attagis.
Attagis Latreillei. Plate IX. tim pelos 99 i/ (
The Virginian Quail or Partridge.
Ortye Virginianus. PlateX. . . . lo
The Californian Ortyx.
Oriyx Californica. Plate XI. . 104
The Long-tailed Ortyx.
Ortyx macroura. Plate XII. . 106 >
Grovsz, . ° fe ea 108
The Wood Caste or Gavsccabiahe .
Tetrao urogallus. Plate XIII. - - 109 {
The Canadian Grouse.
Tetrao Canadensis. PlateXV. . . . 125 4
The Ruffed Grouse.
Tetrao umbellus, Plate XIV. at. fs “ 1237 k
The Pinnated Grouse. \
Tetrao cupido, oP os & e See
The Sharp-Tailed Grouse,
Centroverous phasianellus, PlateXVL" . 136 x
The Cock of the Plains.
Centrocercus hain Plate XVII. wo}
Grovse-PTARMIGAN, 3 ‘ : i : 144
The Red Givnse:Penonianit
Lagopus Scoticus. Plate XVIII ~) 2 36
The Common Ptarmigan.

Lagopus mutus. Plate XTX. vinnie of Win-

ter.—XX. Young,. . ‘ 150 }
The Common Black Grouse.

Lyrurus tetriv, Plate XXII. Male.—X XII. Fe- ml Q,
MHA, ges ii- wtf cea As 153
Pallas's Sandgrouse. X
Syrrhaptes Palasii, PlateXXIII. . . 160 F
The Banded Sand Grouse. e
Plerocles arenarius. Plate XXIV. Female.— f 5

ay ee VS ea en) ae hi

The White-Spotted Ortygis.

Ortygis Meiffrenii. Plate XXVII._ .
Black-Necked Ortygis.

Ortygis nigricollis. Plate XXVIII. .
The Guazu.

Crypturus rufescens. Plate XXITX. .
The Tataupa.

tataupa. Plate XXX.

Porraart or Sin Tuomas Sramronp Rarrizs,

Vignette Title-page. Red Grouse, Male, Female, aad
>

oune, . . « . . . .

In ail Thirty-two Plates in this Volume.

-

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ye 7 ==

ee a all ee

MEMOIR
OF

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES,*

Tue intention of these necessarily short memoira
being to sketch the character, and detail the labours,
of those men who have advanced the science of Na-
tural History, some passages will not be deemed in-
appropriate, which have been collected from the ca-
reer of one, whose zeal for the advancement of this
study was ever shewn, when a short leisure from
the more important administration of his public duties
would allow ; and to whom the British Naturalist is
indebted for a Zoological establishment, which has
already rivalled the utility, and emulated the magni-
ficence, of the Continental institutions.

The name of Sir T. SrAMrorp Rarr es is inti-
mately connected with the political history of the
East, and it is no less so with that of its natural pro-

“We are indebted to the kindness of Lady Raffles for
permission to copy the portrait, from a bust by Chantrey,
which accompanies her interesting history of the Life and
public services of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles,

VOL. IV: 5

18 MEMOIR OF

ductions. It will now be our endeavour to review
his discoveries and researches in the Natural History
of these interesting countries, separated as far as
possible from the details of his arduous and import-
ant public services. For this purpose we have been
indebted chiefly to the interesting volume, published
some years since under the superintendence of his
amiable widow, and which has furnished those parts
introduced from his correspondence, with the de-
scriptions of his excursions in the interior of Suma-
tra; while the History of Java, and the various papers
which Sir Thomas has himself published, have af-
forded materials for the other parts. In the progress
of the sketch it will be seen that the researches of
this naturalist were not confined to one branch of
the science, but that every department, both of the
history of the inhabitants of those islands, and their
natural productions, were carefully studied. We
have alluded to the different objects introduced, with-
out any system or arrangement but as they seemed
to have occurred to the potice of the individual.
Some of them are well known by his own descrip-
tions, or illustrate the beautiful works of his friends
aud companions in research and administration * ; and
but for the awful and overwhelming catastrophe
which occurred on the eve of his departure, many
an unknown production of that rich archipelago
would have assisted in the embellishment of the
extensive works which he contemplated. Having

® Horsfield, Wallich, &c.

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES, 19

thus detailed our plan, we have, before commencing,
to entreat those friends by whom this imperfect
sketch may be seen, that they will forgive any inac-
curacies or misrepresentations; nor attribute to any
motive except that of doing justice, whatever may be
said of the character of an individual, whose writings
had conveyed a very high impression, which was still
farther confirmed by a short but lively remembered
intercourse, for a few months previous to his untimely
decease.

Tuomas Sramrorp Rarrces, the son of Ben-
jamin Raffles, one of the oldest Captains in the West
India Trade, was born at sea on the Oth July 1781,
off the harbour of Port Morant, in the Island of Ja-
maica. Little appears to be known of his family
except its antiquity, and that its earlier members
passed through life with unblemished reputation.
Of his youth previous to the age of fourteen, when
he entered into active business, few traits seem to
have been recollected, beyond a sedateness of tem-
per, and perseverance in his studies superior to that
of his schoolfellows, with a vivid apprehension of the
incidents which occurred. During this period he
studied under the charge of Dr Anderson, who kept
a respectable academy near Hammersmith; and, at
the early age we have mentioned, he was placed as
an extra clerk in the East India House.

When we consider the very short portion of his
early life, wherein he could regularly gain the rudi-

90 MEMOIR OF

ments of acommon education, we must be surprised
at the variety of acquirements which he afterwards
displayed, or rather, perhaps, at the industry by
which they were attained. During his sedentary
occupation as a clerk, he employed his leisure in at-
tending to several branches of literature, and he ob-
tained a tolerable knowledge of French, which a re-
tentive memory enabled him to retain, and after-
wards to use with much advantage, in his various
duties of diplomacy. His power of acquiring lan-
guages was great, and in his after engagements gave
him advantages and influence over the native powers
of the East, which could not have been obtained un-
Jess by a free intercourse, and which a knowledge of
their language could only give.

This very close application to business and study,
however, excited symptoms of disease in a frame and
constitution never very robust, and alarmed his
friends for his health. Relaxation was recommend-
ed, and he employed a short leave of absence, by
making a pedestrian excursion through Wales, which,
while it gave him renewed strength, gave him also
information of the mining districts, which was after-
wards of advantage to his researches in Java.

It would scarcely have been expected that a young
man, placed in so apparently friendless a situation,
should have made to himself patrons. A friend had,
however, marked him; and upon the occurrence of a
vacancy in the establishment of the East IndiajHouse,
the appointment was given to the young and studi-

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 2)

ous Raffles, in preference to many who were thought
at least to have possessed more interest. In 1805
the Directors determined upon sending out an esta«
blishment to Penang; and Mr Ramsay, then secre-
tary, having observed his talents for diplomacy, his
application, and his quickness, recommended him to
the office of assistant secretary. In September fol-
lowing Mr Raflles first set foot in the East, the
theatre in which his acquirements and industry were
to be shown forth. During the voyage out he had
nearly mastered the Malayan language; and, from the
illness of the secretary, he was at once obliged to en«
ter upon all the duties and difficulties of his office, a
task of great responsibility, but which he executed
to the satisfaction of his employers.

The great exertions and application necessary to
carry on the duties of the government, with the
effects of the climate on a constitution not yet
inured to it, were too much for Mr Raffles, and he
was thrown into bad health, and an illness so seri-+
ous, that relaxation and change of air to Malacca
were recommended. Hence his anxiety to benefit
the government brought him back almost before he
was able to undergo fatigue. He made the voyage
in the long boat of an Indiaman, and again reached
Penang in time to send off despatches, and to for-
ward many objects which could scarcely have been
accomplished without him.

While at Malacca he first saw and mixed with
the varied population of the Eastern Archipelago,

22 MEMOIR OF

heard the dialects, and became interested in their
origin ; and to this singularity and variety may be at-
tributed the first desire to investigate the history and
antiquities of this people. In these pursuits he was as-
sisted by the researches which now occupied Mr
Marsden, whose constant application upon the occur-
rence of difficulties, and innumerable queries, forced
and kept up the interest of a subject to which he
was already deeply attached. It was at Malacca,
also, where he first gained the acquaintance and
friendship of Dr Leyden.

About this period the affairs of the East were in
considerable confusion. The conquest of Java was
contemplated, and there was little time to be spared
for the pursuits of literature, researches into the an-
tiquities of the country, or into its natural history.
The stolen moments which could be spared, were,
however, all devoted to these studies, and the very
information which was to be acquired in forwarding
the objects of the government, increased his know-
Jedge, and laid the basis for many of his after disco-
veries. As, however, we wish to avoid the details
of his political career, we shall pass over the period
until the capture of Java; suffice it to say, that he
exhibited as much perseverance and presence of mind
in the diplomatist and soldier, as he had before in
the more peaceful researches of antiquities and lite-
rature.

The capture of Java was terminated in 1811, and
by all, much of the merit of planning and conduct-

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 23

ing the expedition is attributed to Mr Raffles. The
services which he had performed were so highly
judged of by Lord Minto,—the performance of any
trust to be reposed in him was so confidently anti-
cipated—that he at once appointed Mr Raffles
Lieutenant-Governor of Java and its dependencies.
“ The charge was of the most extensive, arduous,
and responsible nature, comprising on the island of
Java alone, a population of six millions, divided in-
to thirty-six residencies, under powerful chiefs, who
had long been desirous of throwing off the European
yoke, and who were by no means disposed to sub-
mit quietly to the rule of their new governors.”
Lord Minto remained in the island for six weeks
superintending the new arrangements, after whieh
the whole charges were resigned to the care of Mr
Raffles, who now removed to Buitenzorg, the seat
of government, distant from Batavia about forty
miles. For some time his cares and duties were so
heavy, that every moment was required for their
fulfilment, but ere long the pursuits of natural history
and antiquities began to fill his moments of leisure.
In a letter to his first and old friend Mr Ramsay,
written in the same year with his establishment im
the government, after mentioning the surmounting of
several difficulties, he says, “ By the next oppor-
tunity I shall have the satisfaction of forwarding to
the authorities in England, several reports from Dr
Horsfield, and other scientific gentlemen, on the
natural history of the island; and as the Batavian

vA MEMOIR OF

Literary Society have solicited that I should take
that institution under the protection of government,
I trust that by uniting our efforts with those of the
Asiatic Society in Bengal, very considerable light
may be shortly thrown on science and general know-
ledge. ‘The numerous remains of Brahminical struc-
tures in every part of the island, prove beyond a
doubt, that a colony of Hindus settled on this island
about the first century of the Christian era; and
the materials of which they are constructed, induce
the belief that this colony must have emigrated from
the Coromandel coast. The beauty and purity of
these structures are entirely divested of that redun-
dancy of awkward and uncouth ornaments and sym-
bols which are found in India.” lis time was thus
constantly occupied either in official employments or
literary researches. In the latter he was assisted by
the talents of Dr Horsfield, and together they ac-
complished one of the most important measures for
promoting their researches,—the re-establishment of
the Society of Arts at Batavia, of which Mr Raffles
was appointed president. This had been the first
Eastern Literary Society established by Europeans,
aud under his fostering care it revived, and was of
much consequence to the history of these countries,
during the few short years which they remained
under the sway of the British arms, and the superin-
tendence of an active and enlightened governor.

A short notice of the rise of a society of such
eonsequence in the East, and so intimately connect-

SIR ‘THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 25

ed with the history of its natural productions, may
not here be misplaced, particularly as we are obliged
for it to the address of its President upon his first
instalment in office after its re-establishment. “ Pre-
vious to the establishment of the Batavian Society,
Mr Kadermacher, a gentleman of distinguished ta-
lents, and a zealous promoter of the Christian reli-
gion and of science, with a few friends of Batavia,
conceived the idea of assembling together a namber
of persons of consideration and ability, with the view
of encouraging the arts and sciences in this capital,
and the other Indian establishments then dependent
on Holland. They considered that in India, as in
Europe, where for two centuries the reformation in
letters preceded that in religion, a taste for the arts
and sciences must be introduced previously to the
general adoption of the Christian religion in the East ;
but they were aware of the difficulties to be en-
countered, under the circumstances in which the
colonies of Holland were then placed, and a con-
siderable period elapsed before the design was car-
ried into effect.

“ At length, in the year 1777, when Mr Kader-
macher and his father-in-law, the Governor-General
de Klerk, were newly elected directors of the Haer-
lem Society, a programme appeared, which contained
the plan of extending the branches of that Society
to the Indies. The distance and extent of the
Dutch colonial possessions in the East did not, how-
ever, admit of this plan being realized ; but the idea

26 MEMOIR OF

being thus brought forward to public notice, a se-
parate society was formed, by the unremitting perse-
verance of Mr Kadermacher, who may be called the
founder of the institution established at Batavia.

“On the 24th of April 1778, this society was duly
established, under the authority of Government, and,
after the example of Haerlem, took for its motto,
* The public utility.’ On its first organization, the
Society consisted of 192 members, the Governor-
General being chief director, and members of the
High Regency directors. The Society selected as
objects of research and inquiry, whatever could be
useful to agriculture, commerce, and the welfare of
the colony; it encouraged every question relating to
natural history, antiquities, and the manners and
usages of the native inhabitants: and in order the
better to define the objects and contribute to their
accomplishment, a programme was from time to time
printed and circulated abroad.”

The Society was no sooner fully established, and
its proceedings generally known, than it received
from all quarters various acquisitions to its cabinet
and library. Mr Kadermacher himself presented
the Society with a convenient house, and eight cases
of valuable books, &c. ; and by the liberality of Mr
Bartto, it was enabled to form a botanical establish-
ment, in a garden presented by that gentleman. In
1779 the first volume of transactions was printed,
in 1780 the second, and the third in 1781; and be-
fore 1792 six volumes had appeared. At this pe-

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 27

riod the revolutions and war in Europe interfered
with the interests of the Society ; it was found im-
practicable to complete the seventh volume, and it
was suggested that, by adopting a more limited mode
of proceeding, the views of the Society might still be
forwarded. The Society was placed under this new
organization in 1800, and continued in this state
until the change of government in 1611, when its
interests were again actively taken up, in the man-
ner we have just seen, by Mr Raffles.

In each succeeding year a new address was de-
livered by the president, giving a review and account
of the progress of the different inquiries which had
come under the notice of the Society, and of disco-
veries which had been made. ‘These all shew the
uncommon pains taken by Mr Raffles in promoting
its objects, but would occupy too much room in our
present sketch, and could not be done justice to by
mutilation.

During the last few years which the island of
Java remained in possession of the British, Mr
Raffles remained in much uncertainty, and often
felt considerable difficulties in giving his orders. It
was unknown whether the island was to be given
up to the Dutch, to be kept under the British crown,
or continue in the hands of the Company. In any
change, however, it was possible that Mr Raffles
might be superseded and lose the advantages which
he was now reaping in his high and important situa-
tion. He was however prevented from suffering, by

28 MEMOIR OF

the kind attentions of his patron Lord Minto, who,
before leaving the East to his successor Lord Moira,
procured for him the residency of Fort Marlborough,
which gave him the chief rank at Bencoolen*. Before
his settlement, however, in this new residency, many
vicissitudes of his lot occurred, and we have particu-
larly to notice one incident, the first which had af-
fected or had appeared to place any blot upon the
bright character and fame of Mr Raflles.

Though at first intimate friends, and acting ap-
parently in concert for the interest of the Eastern
islands, some differences of opinion had existed
between Mr Raffles and General Gillespie ; and af-
ter the appointment of the former gentleman to the
governorship, the breach seems to have widened.
Some acts of administration were complained of,
which ended in specific charges being made by the
General to the Bengal Government, by whom they
were forwarded to Mr Raffles for reply. These
charges coming somewhat unexpectedly and _per-
fectly unmeritedly, were deeply felt. Writing to Lord
Minto regarding their want of foundation, he says,
“ My feelings of the injury I have sustained are not
the less acute that 1 have been denied the means of
knowing the charges, until all the influence of a
first and ex-parte statement could be exerted, and the
current of public feeling allowed to flow unrestrained,
until the reports obtained an unmerited credit from
the'very want of contradiction ;” but he adds, in con-
. The Commander of the Troops at the reduction of Java.

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 29

fidence of his fidelity, ““ My cause, my honour, my
public reputation and private character are now be-
fore the supreme government, and I only ask a patient
hearing. Errors in judgment may be found in the
complicated administration with which I am en-
trusted ; measures of policy depend in a consider-
able degree on opinion, and there may be some dif-
ference of opinion perhaps, with regard to those
which have been adopted by this government ; but
the accusations against my moral character must
be determined by facts, and on this ground I will
challenge my accusers to produce any one act of
government, in which I have been actuated by cor-
rupt motives, or guided by views of sinister advan-
tage to myself.”

In addition to the feelings of a character un-
deservedly attacked, were now added those of deep
affliction in the loss of his dearest connections.
Soon after the delivery of the charges, he suffered
a severe bereavement in the death of Mrs Raffles,
which was followed by the intelligence of the de-
cease of Lord Minto, to whom he might be said to
be indebted for all his worldly prosperity, besides the
free intercourse and sympathy of friendship. He
had, however, on receipt of the charges, and imme-
diately before these great losses, written out replies,
which, though they could not, after the institution of
the proceedings by General Gillespie, be taken as ex-
culpation, shewed plainly to his judges that little
was to be dreaded in Mr Raffles, from a double or

30 MEMOIR OF

deceitful government. But the afflictions which had
thus multiplied upon him, so affected his health that
a change of scene was necessary, and the tour of the
island was commenced with the view to his recovery,
and the employment of his mind in the examination
of various subjects in which he was much interested.
These exertions, however, though they occupied his
mind for the time, did not add to his health or ge-
neral strength, and he removed to Ciceroa in a more
upland district, in the hope that the purer air might
assist his constitution ; but here also the weakening
symptoms continued, and here it was that he heard
he was superseded in his government. In this act
he felt himself unjustly used, but he bore it with
firmness, and without experiencing the bad effects
which his medical advisers anticipated. ‘These at-
tempts, by change of air and scene, to recover health
were, however, unavailing, and it was judged neces-
sary that he should return to England as the only
hope of restoring his constitution. This proposal
he would not listen to, until the arrival of the new
governor ; for he felt, that, however aggrieved he might
have been, his successor Mr Tindal had nothing to
do with it, and it was his duty to see every atten-
tien and honour paid to him upon his arrival. Per-
haps, also, feelings for the interests of his old friends
and companions in office had their sway, for his be-
nevolent disposition would have made any sacrifice
for those in whom he was interested, and whom he
knew deserved his assistance; while his patriotic

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. a1

love for Java, and desire for the welfare of the na-
tives, were points which assumed an interest of no
ordinary kind. He accordingly remained until the
arrival of Mr Tindal, introduced him to Buitenzorg,
to his own officers and staff, and to the most worthy
inhabitants in the island; doing every thing in his
power to render the situation of his successor agree-
able, and to bend his views to the importance of the
prosperity and improvement of the natives. Ha-
ving done this, he resigned his office, and retired to
the house of Mr Cronsent, with whom he remained
until his embarkation.

When it became known that Mr Raffles had de-
cided upon returning to England, the liveliest de-
monstrations of regret were exhibited by the popu-
lation, both European and native. Addresses were
presented, accompanied with substantial presents,
and a sincerity in their grief was shewn, which told
plainly that it was the language of their hearts. A
passage to England was engaged in the ship Ganges,
Captain Travers ; and, says his biographer, * On the
morning of Mr Raffles’ embarkation, the roads of
Batavia were filled with boats, crowded with peo-
ple of various nations, all anxious to pay the last
tribute of respect within their power to one for
whom they entertained the most lively affection.
On reaching the vessel, he found the decks filled
with offerings of every description—fruit, flowers,
poultry, whatever they thought would promote his
comfort on the voyage. It is impossible to describe

$2 MEMOIR OF

the scene which took place when the order was
given to weigh anchor; the people felt that they had
lost the greatest friend whom Java ever possessed ;
and perhaps they anticipated, as too near, their rede-
livery to the Dutch power, and the consequently too
probable renewal of the scenes of misgovernment,
from which, under the administration of Mr Raffles,
they had been relieved for five years.”

After a prosperous voyage, Mr Raffles reached
London, on the 16th July 1816, and next morning
reported himself to the Directors of the East India
House.

He immediately addressed the Directors, praying
for a revision of his services in Java, and a decision
upon the charges which had been brought against
him by General Gillespie ; but still an opinion upon
his government was refused, qualified, however, with
the expression of their conviction that they “ had
sprung from motives perfectly correct.” But not-
withstanding that they did not think it proper thus
publicly or officially to express their opinion of his
administration, in a short period he was rewarded
with as open an acknowledgment of it as could well
be made. It may be recollected that the residency
of Bencoolen had been secured to Mr Raffles by the
kindness of Lord Minto. The court of Directors,
on his departing again for the East, and upon his re-
gular instalment into his new office, thus expressed
themselves :—“‘ The Directors, in consideration of
the zeal and talents displayed during the period he

ee ee

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 33

filled the office of lieutenant-governor of Java, con-
ferred upon him the title of Lieutenant-governor of
Bencoolen, as a peculiar mark of the favourable sen-
timents which the court entertained of his merits
and services ;” and thus they washed away every im-
putation which could have previously affected his
character or administration.

During his residence in England, Mr Raffles
gained additional friends, and formed new attach-
ments ; he regained his former health, and early in
the year of his arrival married Sophia, the daughter
of Mr Hull, an Irish gentleman. His leisure was
occupied in writing his History of Java, of which we
shall afterwards speak ; and upon presenting it to his
Majesty George IV., (at that time Prince Regent),
he received the honour of knighthood. He visited
also the continent, and ever anxious for the welfare
of his favourite Java, which had now been given up
to the Dutch, he travelled through Holland, and
had several interviews with the Dutch king, hoping
to inflnence him in a line of administration which
might at once be most advantageous to his govern-
ment, and favourable for the native inhabitants andi
the prosperity of the island. He examined all the con-
tinental collections, many of them richer than those
in this country, with the view of improving his know-
ledge before again returning to India. Even at this
time, he contemplated the possibility of an establish-
ment similar to the Garden of Plants in Paris, and
which he seems never to have lost sight of, until its

VOL. IV, Cc

34 MEMOIR OF

actual institution, several years afterwards, under his
auspices, as the Zoological Society of London.

In November 1817 Sir Stamford Raffles, accom-
panied by his lady, sailed for his new residency, and,
after a tedious voyage, arrived safely at Bencoolen.
The condition of this establishment at the time of his
arrival must have been very desolate. In a letter to
Mr Marsden, he thus describes their uncomfortable
situation: —* ‘This is without exception the most
wretched place I ever beheld. I cannot convey to
you an adequate idea of the state of ruin and dilapi-
dation which surrounds me. What with natural im-
pediments, bad government, and the awful visitations
of providence, which we have recently experienced
in repeated earthquakes, we have scarcely a dwell-
ing in which to lay our heads, or wherewithal to sa-
tisfy the cravings of nature. ‘Tle roads are impas-
sable; the highways in the town overrun with rank
grass; the government-house a den of ravenous dogs
and polecats.’ The administration seemed to have
been little better ; a listless idleness had taken hold
of the native inhabitants, gaming and cockfighting
prevailed, and the Malayan character was exhibited
in its very worst aspect; while the murder of Mr
Parr, a former resident, had given rise to complete
distrust among the European inhabitants ;—‘“ an ap-
pearance of general desolation appeared.”

By the energy and prudent measures adopted
without delay by Sir Stamford, the aspect of affairs
anc of the country became soon improved, and con-
fidence to a certain extent was restored between

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 35

both the native and European population. To pur-
sue this object still farther, it was necessary that a
general knowledge of the island should be obtained,
and Sir Stamford resolved to make some excursions
to the interior. Accounts of these he has given in a
series of letters to his friends; and as they contain
much interesting information regarding the natural
history of the island and its productions, we shall
here notice some of the more important discoveries
which were made.

The first excursion extended only to the nearest
range of hills which had not previously been visited
by Europeans; and ona part of the range, “* The Hill
of Mists,” he selected a situation for a country resi-
dence, not very favourable, if we may judge from
the name, but it commanded an extensive view of
the lower country, and was subjected toa less degree
of heat. The second was to the southern residencies,
and the Passumah country, and is remarkable for
the discovery of the gigantic parasitic flower, destined
to hand to posterity the names of its discoverers—
Rafflesia Arnoldi.”

* On the next morning, at half-past five, we com-
menced our journey towards Passumah on foot, the
party consisting of myself, Lady Raffles, Dr Arnold,
and Mr Presgrove, the resident at Manna, with six
native officers, and about fifty coolies (porters), car-
rying our food and baggage. Our journey lay near

* Dr Arnold, who accompanied Sir Stamford in many of
his excursions, but lately fell a victim to the climate.

36 MEMOIR OF

the banks of the river during the whole day, but
frequently over high cliffs, and almost entirely
through thick forest. On approaching Lebu Tappu,
where a village once stood, we fell in with the tracks
of elephants. They were very numerous, and it
was evident they had only preceded us a short time.
We here passed over much ground, which at one
period must have been in cultivation, but which had
long been in a state of nature. After breakfasting
at Lebu Tappu, under the shade of the largest tree
we could find, we proceeded on to a place called
Pulolebar, where we were to sleep. This also had
been the site of a village, but no trace of human
dwelling or cultivation was to be found ; we reached
it at half-past four in the afternoon, having walked
for upwards of eight hours. We immediately set to
svork and erected two or three sheds to sleep in, col-
lecting the materials from the vegetation around us,
The river here was broad but very rocky ; the scenery
highly romantic and beautiful. During the night
we were awakened by the approach of a party of
elephants, who seemed anxious to inquire our busi-
ness within their domains. Fortunately they kept
at some distance, and allowed us to remain unmo-
lested. The natives fancy that there are two kinds
of elephants—the Gaja bermakpong, those which
always go in herds, and which are seldom mischiev-
ous, and the Gaja salunggal, or single elephants,
which are much larger and ferocious, going about
either singly or only two or three incompany. It is

1
SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 37
j '

probable the latter kind are only the full grown
males.

“I must not omit to tell you, that in passing
through the forest, we were, much to our inconve- :
nience, greatly annoyed by leeches ; they got into
our boots and shoes, which became filled with blood.

At night, too, they fell off the leaves that sheltered .
us from the weather, and on awaking in the morning

we found ourselves bleeding profasely. These were

a species of intruders we were not prepared for.

“ The most important discovery throughout our
journey was made at this place. This was a gigan-
tic ower, of which I can hardly attempt to give any
thing like a just description. It is perhaps the Jar- .
gest and most magnificent flower in the world, and is
so distinct from every other flower, that 1 know not
to what I can compare it. Its dimensions will asto-
nish you; it measured across from the extremity of
the petals rather more than a yard; the nectarium
was nine inches wide, and as deep, estimated to con-
tain a gallon and a half of water, and the weight of
the whole flower fifteen pounds.

“ The Sumatra name of this extraordinary pro-
duction is Petiman Sikinlili, or Devil's-siri (betle)
box. It is a native of the forests, particularly those
of Passumah, Ulu, Manna.

“ This gigantic flower is parasite on the lower stems
and roots of the Cissus angustifolia of Bosc, It ap-
pears at first in the form of a small round knob,
which gradually increases in size. The fower-bud

38 MEMOIR OF

is inserted by numerous membranaceous sheaths
which surround it in successive layers, and expand
as the bud enlarges, until at length they form a cup
round its base. ‘These sheaths or bracts are large,
round, concave, of a firm membranaceous consistence,
and of a brown colour. The bud before expansion
is depressed, round, with five obtase angles, nearly
a foot in diameter, and of a deep dusky red. The
flower, when fully expanded, is, in point of size, the
wonder of the vegetable kingdom; the breadth across,
from the top of the one petal to the top of the other,
is three feet. The cup may be estimated capable of
containing twelve pints, and the weight of the whole
is from twelve to fifteen pounds. The inside of the
cup is of an intense purple, and more or less dense-
ly yellow, with soft flexible spines of the same co-
Jour. Towards the mouth, it is marked with nu-
merous depressed spots of the purest white, con-
trasting strongly with the purple of the surrounding
substance, which is considerably elevated on the
lower side. ‘The petals are of a brick-red, with nu-
merous pustular spots of a lighter colour. The whole
substance of the flower is not Jess than half an inch
thick, and of a firm fleshy consistence. [t soon af-
ter expansion begins to give oat a smell of decaying
animal matter. ‘The fruit never bursts, but the
whole plant gradually rots away, and the seeds mix
with the putrid mass.

“There is nothing more striking in the Malayan
forests, than the grandeur of the vegetation. The

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 39

magnitude of the flowers, creepers, and trees, con-
trasts strikingly with the stunted, and, I had almost
said, pigmy vegetation of England. Compared with
our fruit-trees, your largest oak is a mere dwarf,
Here we have creepers and vines entwining larger
trees, and hanging suspended for more than 100
feet, in girth not less than a man’s body, and{many
much thicker ; the trees seldom under 10), and ge-
nerally approaching 160 to 200 feet in height.

“ From Pulo Laber we started at half-past five, and
halted at eight to breakfast. At eleven we reached
the Sindangaré river, where we took some refresh-
ment, and in the evening, about half-past five, reach-
ed Barong Rasam.

“The day's journey was most fatiguing, and not
less than thirty miles, entirely through a thick forest,
and over stupendous mountains, one of which, call-
ed the Sindangan mountain, could not have been
less than between 4000 and 5000 feet high. Neither
on this nor on the preceding day was there vestige
of population or cultivation ; nature was throughout
allowed to reign undisturbed, and from the traces
of elephants in every direction, they alone, of the
animal kingdom, seemed to have explored the re-
cesses of the furest.

“ We got on, however, very well; and though we
were all occasionally much fatigued, we did not com-
plain. Lady Raffles was a perfect heroine. The
only misfortune at this stage was a heavy fall of rain
during the night, which penetrated our leafy dwell-

AO MEMOIR OF

ing in every direction, and soaked every one of the
party to the skin. We were now two days’ march
beyond the reach of supplies; many of our coolies
had dropped off; some were fairly exhausted, and
we began to wish our journey at anend. We, how-
ever, contrived to make a good dinner on the re-
maining fowl, and having plenty of rice and claret,
did not complain of our fare,

“On the next morning we started in better spirits,
having been met by one of the chiefs of Passumab,
who came to welcome our approach, and to assure
us if we walked on foot we should reach a village
in the afternoon. For the first part of the day, our
route was still over stupendous mountains, sometimes
in the beds of rivers for miles, and at all times diffi-
cult; but about noon we came into a country that
had once been cleared, and again fell in with the
Manna River, which we crossed on a raft previously
prepared for the purpose, many of the chiefs and
people of Passumah having assembled to meet us.
We had still, however, a very steep ascent to en-
counter ; but no sooner had we attained the summit,
and bent our steps downwards, than our view open-
ed upon one of the finest countries I ever beheld,
amply compensating us for ali the dreariness of the
forest, and for all the fatigues we had undergone ;
perhaps the prospect was heightened by the contrast,
but the country I now behel! reminded me so much
of scenes in Java, and was in every respect so differ-
ent to that on the coast, that 1 could not help ex-

LS ee

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES.

scene improved ; we found ourselves in an immense
amphitheatre, surrounded by mountains ten and
twelve thousand feet high; the soil on which we
stood rich beyond description, and vegetation luxu-
riant and brilliant in every direction. The people,
too, seemed a new race, far superior to those on the
coast, tall, stout, and ingenuous. They received us
most hospitably, and conducted us to the village of
Nigri-Cayu, where we slept.

«* In the vicinity of Nigri-Cayu, were several hot
springs, and we soon succeeded in making very com-
fortable warm batlis.

“ On the next day we proceeded to Taujong
Alem (the point of the world), another village in the
Passumah country, which we reached in about six
hours’ walk, through one of the finest countries in
the world, having before us nearly the whole way
the voleanic mountain called Gunung Dempu, from
which the smoke issued in large volumes.

“« At Tanjung Alem, we remained two nights.

We found the villages in this part of the country
most respectable, many of them having more than
five hundred inhabitants ; the houses large, and ona
different plan to those on the coast; each village,
which may rather be considered as asmall town, has
a fosse or ditch round it, with high palisades. We
passed the site of two or three towns, which were
represented to have been destroyed by the petty hos-
tilities between the chiefs.

pressing myself in raptures. As we descended, the ’
L

42 MEMOIR OF

“ The people, though professedly Mahomedans,
seem more attached to their ancient worship and su-
perstitions than I expected. I clearly traced an an-
cient mythology, and obtained the names of at least
twenty gods, several of whom are Hindus. In each
of the villages we found a Lang’gar, similar to that
noticed at Merambung, but generally better con-
structed.

“ The utmost good-humour and affection seemed
to exist among the people of the village; they were
as one family, the men walking about holding each
other by the hand, and playing tricks with each other
like children, They were as fine a race as I ever
beheld ; in general about six feet high, and propor-
tionably stout, clear and clean skins, and an open in-
genuous countenance. ‘They seemed to have abun-
dance of every thing; rice, the staple food of the
country, being five times es cheap as at Bencoolen,
and every other article of produce in proportion.
The women and children were decorated with a pro-
fusion of silver ornaments, and particularly with
strings of dollars and other coins, hanging two or
three deep round the neck. It was not uncommon
to see a child with a hundred dollars round her neck.
Every one seemed anxious for medicine, and they
cheerfully agreed to be vaccinated. The small-pox
had latterly committed great ravages, and the popu-
lation of whole villages had fled into the woods to
avoid the contagion,

“* We now thought of returning to the coast, and

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 43

on the 25th set off for Manna by a different route
to that by which we had arrived. Our first day's
journey was to Camamuan, which we reached a little
before six in the evening, after the hardest day's
walk 1] ever experienced. We calculated that we
had walked more than thirty miles, and over the
worst of roads. Hitherto we had been fortunate in
our weather; but before we reached this place, a
heavy rain came on, and soaked us completely. The
baggage only came up in part, and we were content
to sleep in our wet clothes, under the best shade we
could find. No wood would burn; there was no
moon ; it was already dark, and we had no shelter
erected: By perseverance, however, I made a toler-
able place for Lady Raffles, and, after selecting the
smoothest stone I could find in the bed of a river for
a pillow, we managed to pass a tolerably comfortable
night. This is what is here called the Ula Pino
road ; and we were encouraged to undertake long
marches, in the hope of only sleeping in the woods
one night, and in this we fortunately succeeded.

“ The next day we reached Merambung, where
we got upon a raft, and were wafted down to the
vicinity of Manna in about seven hours. ‘The pas-
sage down the river was extremely romantic and
grand; it is one of the most rapid rivers on the
coast: we descended a rapid almost every hundred
yards,

“* After proceeding from Manna to Cawoor, we
returned by the coast to Bencoolen, where we ar-

44 MEMOIR OF

rived on the Sd of June, to the no small astonish-
ment of the colonists, who were not inclined to be-
lieve it possible we could have thought of such a
journey.”

The party having thus returned in safety to Ben-
coolen, the attention of Sir Stamford was occupied for
a month in the concerns of the company; but he con-
templated other excursions, and, in July 1818, com-
menced his inquiries regarding the ancient Malayan
city, Menangkabu, celebrated for the richness of its
ores and mineral productions. He embarked for
Padang, accompanied as formerly by Lady Raffles,
having upon the journey also, the company and as-
sistance of Dr Horstield. The journal of this expe-
dition, written at the time of its execution, and sent
home to his friends, is extremely interesting, but,
from its length, would occupy too much space here;
we have therefore only selected some parts of it.

The difficulties of the way were much dwelt on by
the natives. Sir Stamford was, however, determined
to make the attempt, though the information of his
advanced party was rather confirmatory of danger.
* ‘This party, consisting of about two hundred coolies,
fifty military as an escort, and all our personal ser-
vants, left Padong on the afternoon of the 14th Jane,
by beat of drum, forming a most ridiculous cavaleade,
the interest heightened by the quixotic appearance
of my friend Dr Horsfield, who was borne along on
the shoulders of four of the party, in order that, in
preceding us, he might gain time for botanizing.

See ee sr
e

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 45

Thursday the 16th, at day break, was fixed for our
departure.

“« Next day was favourable, and the attempt was
made. Dr Horstield and his party were soon over-
taken. At first the route lay along rich plains of rice
fields, fine soils, and the country intersected with
numerous streams, every indication of an extensive
and industrious population ; sheds erected for the ac-
commodation of travellers, at convenient distances,
with an occasional trace of a road. They reached
the village of Lemau Manis, “a long straggling yil-
lage, or rather plantation, on the romantic banks of
a rapid river, which discharges itself into the sea at
Ujung Karang, and up the stream of which our far-
ther course lay ; here, as in several villages, we had
passed, we observed a considerable quantity of coffee
growing under the shade of the large fruit trees, and
contiguous to the houses. Our arrival was welcomed
by the beating of the great drum or tabu, which has
a place in every village. The drum is peculiar; it is
formed of the trunk of a large tree, and is at least
twenty feet long, hollowed out, and suspended on a
wooden frame, lying horizontally under a shed ; one
end only is covered with parchment.”

So far they accomplished the journey without
much difficulty, using the accommodations of the na-
tive travellers. Their course continued along the
bed of the river, a bad substitute for a turnpike, but
almost the only passage in these wild but beautiful
districts, The ascent was much steeper, the road

46 MEMOIR OF

more difficult. ‘“ Rocks piled on rocks, in sublime
confusion ; roaring cataracts, and slippery precipices
were now to be surmounted. Nothing could be
more romantic and wild than the course we had to
pass.” After a laborious day, however, they suc-
ceeded in crossing Gunung Dinjin, a high steep moun-
tain, and encamped for the night on the confines of
the Tiga-blas country, in view of the western peak of
Berapi, emitting a volume of smoke. Here the party
became under the control of the chiefs of the country,
and it depended entirely on their inclinations whether
strangers should be allowed to pass. After much
consultation among those who next morning as-
sembled, among delays and prevarications as to
the reason of them, the restraint was broken through
by the energy of Sir Stamford, and the party allow-
ed to proceed, upon the payment of twenty dol-
lars. Then “we shook hands, and the utmost
cordiality and good understanding instantly pre-
vailed.” They descended to the plains, attended
with several thousands, who now welcomed them
in the most savage manner, with yells and cheers.
Having reached the principal town, they were, after
some delay and consultation, supplied with a com-
modious planked house, and spent the night with
sufficient comfort, keeping, however, the party to-
gether, and strict vigilance, necessary among so nu-
merous a people, who openly shewed such wild and
untamed manners.

This valley was of the richest description. “ Here,”

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 47

writes Sir Stamford, “I was prepared to find a coun-
try still more fertile and populous than the fertile
valley of Passumah. The whole occupied by the
Tigas-blas-cotas, or thirteen confederate towns, is
one sheet of cultivation, in breadth about ten, in
length twenty, miles, thickly studded with towns
and villages. On the slopes of the hills, the principal
cultivation is coffee, indigo, maize, sugar-cane, and
oil-giving plants ; on the plain below, exclusively rice.
A fine breed of small cattle, which seems peculiar,
abounds here, and throughout the Menangkabu coun-
try ; oxen seem generally used in agriculture, in pre-
ference to buffaloes ; they are in general about three
feet four inches high, beautifully made, and mostly of
a light fawn colour, with black eyes and lashes, and
are sold at from three to four dollars a-head. They
are, without exception, the most beautiful little ani-
mals of the kind I ever beheld ; we did not see one
in bad condition. Horses, of which there seems to
be plenty, are not much used. Fora mare and foal,
the price was about twenty shillings.”

Thus they travelled on through a country little
known to Europeans, of the most important and in-
teresting description, full of interest to the antiquary
and naturalist,—the classic ground of the Malays.
On the night of the 2ist, they reached the banks of
Danan, or lake of Sincara, a beautiful sheet of wa-
ter about fourteen miles long, and seven broad, sur-
rounded with mountains and hills, highly cultivated
at the bases, and open only towards the Tiga-blas

48 MEMOIR OF

country, where a plain of its own breadth gradually
sinks into its bosom. On the morning following,
they embarked and reached a town of some conse-
quence, Simawang, occupying the summit of a hill
about 500 feet above the level of the lake, and com-
manding a very extensive prospect. ‘The next morn-
ing they proceeded to Surnasa, the second city of
importance, and, by mid-day, obtained the first view
of Pageauyong, the capital of the Menangkabu coun-
try, and one of the objects of the excursion.

From the approach to these cities which had been
thus passed, it was evident that, at one period, they
had been of importance. “ But, alas, little was left
for our curiosity but the wreck of what had once
been great and populous. The Wagarin trees, which
shaded and added sclemnity to the palace, were still
standing in all their majesty. The fruit trees, and
particularly the cocoa nut, marked the boundaries of
this once extensive city; but the rank grass had
usurped the halls of the palace, and scarce was the
thatch of the peasant to be found. Three times had
the city been committed to the flames ; well might I
say, in the language of the Brata Yudha, ‘ Sad and
melancholy was her wagarin tree, like the sorrow of
a wife whose husband is afar.’” Several interesting
inscriptions were discovered here, and a chastely
carved Hindu image, which, together with the very
high state of cultivation in the surrounding country,
were strong arguments in favour of the opinion formed
by Sir Stamford, that the Malayan empire was not

SIK THOMAS STAMPORD RAFFLES. 49

of recent origin. Early next morning the party pro-
ceeded to the capital, which we shall notice in the
narrator's own words. “In approaching Pageru-
yong, we had an excellent view of this once famous
city. It is built at the foot, and partly on the slope
of a steep and rugged hill, called Gunung Bongso, so
memorable for its appearance, and the three peaks
it exhibits. Below the town, under a precipice of
from fifty to a hundred feet, in some parts nearly
perpendicular, winds the beautiful stream of Selo,
which pursuing its course, passes Saruasa, wliere it
takes the name of the Golden River, and finally falla
into the Indragiri. In front of the city rises the
mountain Berapi, the summit of which may be about
twenty miles distant. It is on the slopes of this
mountain that the principal population is settled ;
the whole side of the mountain, for about fifteen miles
from Pageruyong in every direction, being covered
with villages and rice fields. The entrance to the
city, which is now only marked by a few venerable
trees, and the traces of what was once a highway, is
nearly three quarters of a mile before we come to
the Bali and site of the former palace. Here, little
is left save the noble Wagarin trees, and these appear,
in several instances, to have suffered from the action
of fire. Scarcely the appearance of a hut is to be
seen; the large flat stone, however, on which the
Sultan used to sit on days of public ceremony, was
pointed out to us; and when the weeds had been
partially cleared, the royal burial ground was diseo-
VOL. IV. D

50 MEMOIR OF

vered. In this we did not discover any inscription
in theSancient character, but the ground was but
very partially and hastilyexamined. We were struck,
however, with the sculpture of Jater days, the me-
morials of the dead raised in Mahommedan times,
on a small seale, but beautifully executed.”

“« This city had shared the same fate with that of
Saruasa. Three times had it been committed to the
flames; twice had it risen to something like splen-
dour; from the last shock it had not yet recovered.
Where the palace of the Sultan had stood, | observ-
ed a man planting cucumbers, and the sugar cane
occupied the place of the seraglio. The whole coun-
try from Pagerayong, as far as the eye could dis-
tinctly trace, was one continued scene of cultivation,
interspersed with innumerable towns and villages,
shaded by the cocoa nut and other fruit trees. I
may safely say, that this view equalled any thing [
ever saw in Java. The scenery is more majestic and
grand, population equally dense,—cultivation equally
rich. Here. then, for the first time, was I able to
trace the source of that power, the origin of that
nation so extensively scattered over the Eastern Ar-
chipelago.” From this interesting city and fine coun-
try, the party commenced their return, and reached
Padang, after an absence of fourteen days.

Sir Stamford again arrived at Bencoolen, com-
menced his official occupations with his wonted
energy,—visited Calcutta and many of the neigh-
bouring islands. In most of these excursions he was

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 51

accompanied by Lady Raffles, who entered warmly
into his pursuits, and delighted in exploring those fairy
isles, the lands of eastern fable and magnificence, ce-
lebrated by all mariners as the most gorgeous water
scenery in the world :

“So strong the influence of the fairy scene.”

“Tt is impossible,” writes Lady Raffles, “to con-
vey an idea of the pleasure of sailing through this
beautiful and unparalleled Archipelago, in which
every attraction of nature is combined. The smooth-
ness of the sea, the lightness of the atmosphere, the
constant succession of the most picturesque lake
scenery; islands of every shape and size clustered
together; mountains of the most fanciful forms
crowned with verdure to their summit ; rich and Juxu-
riant vegetation extending to the very edge of the
water; little native boats with ouly one person in
them, contiuually darting out from the deep shade
which concealed them, looking like so many cockle
shells wafted about by the wind. Altogether, it is
a scene of enchantment deserving a poet's pen to de-
scribe its beauties.”

With the sanction of the government of the India
House, Sir Stamford had now in his employment a
regular establishment of naturalists and draughtsmen,
at the head of which were two French naturalists,
Messrs Diard and Duvaucel, who, in addition to
their knowledge in preparing specimens, added ac-
quirements in science of no ordinary kind. They were

52 MEMOIR OF

both brought up in the Parisian school of the Gar-
den of Plants, and to their discoveries, after the ter-
mination of their agreement with Sir Stamford, we
are indebted for several new and curious productions.
Nearly at this period, Sir Stamford’s discoveries in
Zoology were published in the Transactions of the
Linnean Society ; among these may be mentioned
the Ursus Malayanus, forming the Genus Helarctos
of Horsfield ; the Felis macrocelis, or Rimanu dahan ;
the Viverra gymnura, which Messrs Vigors and Hors-
field afterwards dedicated to its discoverer under the
title of Gymnura Rafflesii; several very interesting
quadrumanous animals, and the Indian Tapir. In
tracing out these animals, great difficulty often arose;
they inhabited the interior, and the first indication of
them was perhaps some rude hint or native descrip-
tion ; thus, Sir Stamford was of opinion that another
large tapir-looking animal inhabited the forests, with a
narrow riband of white round the back and belly ;
the description was simply, that the band is narrow,
head truncated, the tail long; and they had to be
sought for and obtained in districts, little, if ever,
visited, and where there was often a superstitious
dread, which no persuasion or temptation could over-
come. Among the rarer birds, we are also indebted
to these researches for Eurylamus, Calyptomena,
&ec. All these were proposed to have been illus-
trated in a work entitled Museum Rafflesianum, but
which we fear has not reached a step farther than
ts contemplation.

SIR THOMAS 8TAMFORD RAFFLES, 53

As time wore on, the occupations of office became
less engrossing. The long time spent in passing
from Calcutta to Bencoolen, in matters connected
with government, and the permanent establishment
and prosperous condition of Singapore, left little more
to be accomplished : a return to Europe was contem-
plated, and the arrangement and description of his im-
mense collections looked forward to. At Bencoolen,
Sir Stamford lived in comparative retirement at his
residence in the country; his chief employments be-
ing study and the examination of the numerous inte-
resting productions his house and grounds contained,
being in his own words, “a perfect Noah's ark.” Farm-
ing occupied also a portion of his time, and the mak-
ing of roads, and improving the neighbouring country.
Ina letter to his cousin, he pleasantly writes, “ Much
of my time is taken up in agricultural pursuits. I am
by far the most active farmer in the country ; and as
President of the Agricultural Society, not only take
precedence at the board but in the field. I have a
dozen ploughs constantly going, and before I quit the
estate, [ hope to realize a revenue of L. 2000 or
L. 3000 a-year, besides feeding its population.”

This state of rural happiness and employment in
benefiting the country was now however about to ter-
minate. A succession of sick! seasons occurred,
which ravaged the population, and we may almost be
surprised that Sic Stamford and his lady were pre-
served among the many losses they sustained. Their
three eldest children fell victims in succession to the

54 MEMOR OF

climate, and it was resolved that they should consent
‘to separation from their fourth and only surviving
daugliter, rather than that she should run the risk of
encountering the malaria, To these diseases his
bosom friend and companion in research also fell a
victim, and while under these severe dispensations, a
voyage to Singapore was undertaken finally to ar-
range the settlement, and to prepare for his departure
fron: the East, after a residence of much labour, anxi-
ety, and satisfaction, of much affliction and much hap-
piness.

At Singapore health and resignation of mind were
in part restored. Many interesting productions were
added to his private collection now immense, while
several useful establishments and regulations were
completed, and all in this part was arranged for depar-
ture. He returned again to Bencoolen; the ship which
was intended to carry the late governor to his native
country has arrived ; all his collections, great and
invaluable, were on board ; and on the 2d February
1824, Sir Stamford and his family embark in the
Fame and sail for England with a fair wind. But
early in the first night of their hopes and anticipa-
tions, they were turned into distraction, and all their
powers exerted to save life alone. We shall give
the account of this dreadful calamity, written by Sir
Stamford himself, two days after its occurrence, and
Jeave the reader to judge what his feelings must
have been. To Natural History it was the most
extensive loss of materials she had ever sustained.

* We embarked on the 2d instant in the Fame,

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 55

and sailed at daylight for England with a fair wind,
and every prospect of a quiet and comfortable pas-

‘“‘ The ship was every thing we could wish, and
having closed my charge here much to my satisfac-
tion, it was one of the happiest days of my life. We
were perhaps too happy, for in the evening came a
sad reverse. Sophia had just gone to bed, and I
had thrown off half my clothes, when a cry of Fire,
fire! roused us from our calm content, and in five
minutes the whole ship was in flames! I ran to
examine whence the flames principally issued, and
found that the fire had its origin immediately under
our cabin. Down with the boats. Where is So-
phia? Here. The children? Here. A rope to
this side. Lower Lady Raffles. Give her to me,
says one: I'll take her, says the captain. Throw
the gunpowder over board. It cannot be got at; it
1s in the magazine close to the fire. Stand clear of
the powder. Skuttle the water-casks. Water!
Water! Where's Sir Stamford? Come into the
boat, Nilson! Nilson, come into the boat. Pash
off—push off. Stand clear of the after part of the
ship.

“ All this passed much quicker than I can write
it. We pushed off, and as we did so, the flames
burst out of our cabin window, and the whole of the
after part of the ship was in flames. The masts and
sails now taking fire, we moved to a distance sufh-
cient to avoid the immediate explosion ; but the

56 MEMOIR OF

flames were now coming out of the main hatchway,
and seeing the rest of the crew, with the captain,
still on board, we pulled back to her under her bows,
so as to be more distant from the powder. As we
approached we perceived that the people on board
were getting into another boat on the opposite side.
She pulled off—we hailed her; have you all on
board? Yes, all save one. Whois he? Johnson,
sick in his cot. Can we save him? No, impossi-
ble. The flames were issuing from the hatchway.
At this moment, the poor fellow scorched, 1 imagine,
roared out most lustily, having run upon deck. I
will go for him, says the captain. The two boats
then came together, and we took out some of the
persons from the captain's boat, which was over-
laden; he then pulled under the bowsprit of the
ship, and picked the poor fellow up. Are you all
safe? Yes, we have got the man—all lives safe.
Thank God! pull off from the ship. Keep your
eye on a star, Sir Stamford. There is one scarcely
visible.

“ We then hauled close to each other, and found
the captain fortunately had a compass, but we had
no light except from the ship. Our distance from
Bencoolen we estimated to be about fifty miles in a
south-west direction. There being no landing-place
to the southward of Bencoolen, our only chance was
to regain that port. The captain then undertook to
lead, and we to follow, in a north north-east course,
as well as we could, no chance, no possibility being

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 57

left, that we could again approach the ship; for she
was now one splendid flame, fore and aft, and aloft,
her masts and sails in a blaze, and rocking to and
fro, threatening to fall in an instant. There goes
her mizen-mast; pull away my boys. There goes
the gunpowder. Thank God !—thank God!

* You may judge of our situation without farther
particulars. The alarm was given at about twenty
minutes past eight, and in less than ten minutes she
was in flames. ‘There was not a soul on board at
half-past eight, and in less than ten minutes after-
wards she was one grand mass of fire.

“ My only apprehension was the want of boats to
hold the people, as there was not time to have got
out the long boat, or to make a raft; all we had to
rely upon were two small quarter boats, which for-
tunately were lowered without accident ; and in these
two small open boats, without a drop of water or
grain of food, or a rag of covering, except what we
happened at the moment to have on our backs, we
embarked on the ocean, thankful to God for his
mercies! Poor Sophia, having been taken out of
her bed, had nothing on but a wrapper, neither shoes
nor stockings. The children were just as taken out
of bed, where one had been snatched after the flames
had attacked it ;—in short, there was not time for
any one to think of more than two things. Can the
ship be saved? No, Let us save ourselves then,
All else was swallowed up in one grand ruin.

“To make the best of our misfortune, we availed

58 MEMOIR OF

ourselves of the light from the burning ship to steer
a tolerably good course towards the shore. She con-
tinued to burn till about midnight, when the salt-
petre she had on board took fire, and sent up one of
the most splendid and brilliant flames that was ever
seen, illuminating the horizon in every direction to
an extent of not less than fifty miles, and casting
that kind of blue light over us, which is of all others
the most horrible. She burnt and continued to flame
in this style for about an hour or two, when we lost
sight of the object in a cloud of smoke.

“ Neither Nilson nor Mr Bell, our medical friend,
who had accompanied us, had saved their coats; but
the tail of mine, with a pocket handkerchief, served
to keep Sophia's feet warm, and we made breeches
for the children with our neckcloths. Rain now
came on, but, fortunately, it was not of long conti-
nuance, and we got dry again. The night became
serene and starlight; we were now certain of our
course, and the men behaved manfully; they rowed
incessantly, and with good heart and spirit, and never
did poor mortals look out more for daylight and for
Jand than we did; not that our sufferings or grounds
of complaint were any thing to what had befallen
others, but from Sophia's delicate health, as well as
my own, and the stormy nature of our coast, | felt
perfectly convinced we were unable to undergo star-
vation and exposure to sun and weather many days,
and, aware of the rapidity of the currents, I feared
we might full to the southward of the port.

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 59

“* At daylight we recognised the coast and Rat
Island, which gave us great spirits ; and though we
found ourselves much to the southward of the port,
we considered ourselves almost at home. Sophia
had gone through the night better than could have
been expected, and we continued to pull on with all
our strength. About 8 or 9 we saw a ship standing
to us from the roads; they had seen the flames from
shore, and sent out vessels to our relief; and here,
certainly, came a minister of Providence, in the cha-
racter of a minister of the Gospel, for the first person
I recognised was one of our missionaries, He gave
us a bucket of water, and took the captain on board
asa pilot. The wind, however, was adverse, and
we could not reach the shore, and took to the ship,
where we got some refreshment and shelter from the
sun. By this time Sophia was quite exhausted,
fainting continually. About two o'clock we landed
safe and sound, and no words of mine can do justice
to the expressions of feeling sympathy and kindness
with which we were bailed by every one. If any
proof had been wanting that my administration had
been satisfactory here, we had it unequivocally from
all; there was not a dry eye, and as we drove back
to our former home, loud was the ery of ‘ God be
praised.’

** The loss I have to regret beyond all, is my pa-
pers and drawings,—all my notes and observations,
with memoirs and collections, sufficient for a full and
ample history, not only of Sumatra, but of Borneo,

60 MEMOIR OF

and almost every other island of note in these seas ;
—my intended account of the establishment of Sin-
gapore ;—the history of my own administration ;—
eastern grammars, dictionaries, and vocabularies ;—
and last, not least, a grand map of Sumatra, on which
I had been employed since my arrival here, and on
which, for the last six months, I had bestowed al-
most my whole undivided attention. This, however,
was not al] ;—all my collections in natural history,
all my splendid collection of drawings, upwards of
2000 in number, with all the valuable papers and
notes of my friends Arnold and Jack; and, to con-
clude, | will merely notice, that there was searce an
unknown animal, bird, beast or fish, or an interest-
ing plant, which we had not on board; a living ta-
pir, a new species of tiger, splendid pheasants, &e.
domesticated for the voyage ; we were, in short, in
this respect, a perfect Noah's Ark.

“ All—all has perished; but, thank God, our
lives have been spared, and we do not repine. P

After this heavy dispensation we might suppose
a person desponding, it was not so with Sir Stam-
ford ; and in no event of his life did he exbibit so
much energy. He had seen the Jabours of twenty
years, his collection of drawings, manuscripts of his
own, and of his companions, who had fallen victims
to their researches, the greater part of his private
property, the presents of his friends, and testimonials
of his services, all swept away, reduced to ashes in
a few hours. But truly thankful for the preserva-

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 61

tion of his family, and as soon as he had again placed
them in a situation of comfort and safety, do we find
him endeavouring to repair the vast losses he had
sustained. The very day after, he commenced
sketching from recollection his map of Sumatra,—
set to work draftsmen, and sent people to the forests
to collect new specimens. He repined not, but went
perseveringly on; and the best proof of his success
is the large assemblage of subjects which he munifi-
cently presented to the Zoological Society upon its
institution.

The anxiety of Sir Stamford and Lady Raffles,
after these severe trials, to reach Enyland, natu-
rally increased, and another ship was engaged, in
which they again embarked on the 8th of April.
They experienced a most tempestuous passage, but
arrived in safety among their anxious friends. — The
constitution of Sir Stamford was very much shatter-
ed by climate and the constant exercise of his mind,
for it was one of those which could never rest, but
which eventually actually wear themselves out. The
cares of his friends comparatively restored his‘health,
and his spirits never flagged; mentioning his future
plans of life, he says, “I confess I have a great desire
to turn farmer, and have the vanity to think I could
manage about two hundred acres as well as my
neighbours. With this, I suppose, I should in time
become a county magistrate, an office of ell others [
should delight in, and if I should eventually get a
seat in Parliament, without sacrifice in principle, I

62 MEMOIR OF

should be content to pass through the rest of my life
without aiming at any thing farther, beyond the oc-
cupation of my spare time in promoting, as far as my
humble means and talents admitted, the pursuits of
knowledge and science, and the advancement of phi-
lanthropic and religious principles.” Thus marking
out for himself a course of active employment.

The love of retirement and free intercourse with na-
ture, wearied him of London, and soon after his‘arrival
in England he purchased the estate of Highwood, not
far from town, which he intended should be his head
quarters. His time was in the mean time actively
employed in arranging from recollection parts of his
researches in the East, and in examining what he had
been enabled to collect during his short stay at Ben-
coolen after the burning of the Fame. He now ex-
pressed his opinion of the possibility of a Society
somewhat upon the plan of the Garden of Plants,
and enlisted in his cause the services of Sir Hum-
phry Davy. To his cousin, in the full enthusiasm of
success, he writes: ‘I am much interested at pre-
sent in establishing a grand Zoological Collection in
the Metropolis, with a Society for the introduction
of living animals, bearing the same relations to
Zoology as a science, that the Horticultural does to
Botany. We hope to have 2000 subscribers, at
L.2 each ; and, it is farther expected, we may go far
beyond the Jardin des Plantes at Paris. Sir Hum-
phrey Davy and myself are the projectors. And
while he looks more to the practical and immediate

SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 63

utility to the country gentlemen, my attention is
more directed to the scientific department.” The
increase of zoological knowledge by the study of
the living beings, the introduction of such as might
prove useful in our manufactures ‘or commerce, and
the giving to the science popularity and general dif-
fusion, were among the chief objects. The hopes of
establishing such a combination were crowned with
the utmost success in the institution of the Zoologi-
cal Society of London. We have not room to give
all the plan, details, and prospectus of the commence-
ment of this now important institution, but it will be
interesting, and perhaps wished for by many, to see
the names of those who were first associated with
Sir Stamford in its formation.

Sra Sramrorp Rareces, LL. D., F. R.8., &c. Chairman.
Doxe or Somenser, LL. D., F. R.S., &e.

Fant or Dagntey, F. R.8., &e.

Viscount Gaas, M. A., &c.

Samvuxt, Lord Bishop of Carlisle, LL. D., V. P. R.S., &c.
Lorp Sranteyr, M. P., V.P. R.S., &.

Sin H. Davy, Bart. LL. D., Pres. R.S., &e.

Sin Everanpv Home, Bart. V. P. R.S., &e.

E. Bannanp, Esq. F. L. 8., &c.

H. T. Corenooxe, Esq. F. R.S., &e.

Davis Gitsent, Esq. V. P.R.S., &e.

Fart op Eoremont, F. R.8., &e.

Ean. or MAnmessuny,

Rey. Dr Goonenuven, F.R. 8., &e.

Tuomas Hoxsrtetp, M. D., F. L.8., &e.

The Rev. W. Kirev, M. A., F.R.S., &e.

T. A. Kytenrt, Esq. F.R.S., Pres. H.5., &e.

T. A. Kwicur Jun. Esq. M. A., &e.

Gb MEMOIR OF

W. Suanre Macreay, Esq. M. A., F.L.S., &e.
Joseru Sastne, Esq. F. R.8., &e.

N. A. Vicors, Esq. M. A., I’. R.S., &e,
Caantes BAnincwal, Esq. M. P.

Such was the establishment of the London Zonlo-
gical Society, now advanced to such a state of pros-
perity, as, (with the proper distribution of a large
income) to have the power of promoting science more
than any other European establishment. Sir Stam-
ford foresaw all this,—saw his most sanguine hopes
were to be realized, and bequeathed to it the remains
of his great and valuable collections.

But he scarcely witnessed, in reality, more than
its splendid commencement. The fatigues of his
long public career, the energy of his mind, and great
excitement incident to the success of any favour-
ite scheme, had worn out and undermined his con-
stitution ; and two years after his return to England,
when about to retire from public life and enjoy do-
mestic privacy, he was suddenly snatched from his
family and friends. Some time previously, he had
had a shock, which, at the time, was not considered
serious ; but, on the 5th July 1826, he was threat-
ened with a return of it, which confirmed the previ-
ous suspicions of his medical attendants, and termi-
nated fatally. He expired on the day previous to
the completion of his 45th year.

Thus we have seen the life of Sir Stamford Raffles
to have been one of unwearied activity for the bene-

SIR ‘THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 65

fit of his employers, the prosperity of those he super-
intended, and the advancement of natural science.
His works, with the exception of the History uf Java,
are chiefly contributions to the Asiatic and Batavian
Transactions, and those of the Linnean Society of
London, upon the Antiquities and History of the
Tribes and Country, and the Natural History of the
Eastern Archipelago. But in this enumeration we
must not neglect those which shared the fate of his
collections.. ‘They included Histories of Sumatra,
Borneo, Celebs, Java and the Moluccas, and Singa-
pore, besides Translations from ancient manuscripts,
Dictionaries, Grammars and Vocabularies. While
among the memoranda which he left, were the titles
of several projected works,—“ Notes illustrative of
the Natural History, and more especially the Geo-
logy of the Malay Islands, containing Geographical
and Geological Notices, with an account of some of
the more remarkable Vegetable Productions, and the
outline of a Fauna Malayana.” Another work, with
the assistance of Dr Horsfield, was thus sketched
out: “ Contents, introduction,—Geographical and
Geological Outline of the Archipelago,—ditto of
Java, with Plates,—ditto of Sumatra, with ditto,—
and Journey to Menangkabu,—Banca, with a Map.
and abstract Memoir ; principal Vegetable Produc-
tions, and their Distribution and Localities, —Fauna
Malayana,—Larger Auimals, &c. Distribution and
«Account of, generally as introductory to the Descrip-
VOL, IV. E

66 © MEMOIR OF SIR T. STAMFORD RAFFLES,

tive Catalogue. Catalogue arranged scientifically,
with relation to the order of Nature.”

They would have embraced every department
in the history of these countries, and the extensive
view he took, leads us only more and more to regret
their being lost to his successors in science. No na-
tural history of the East can be given without intro-
ducing the labours of Sir Stamford Rajfles, and
as a patron of Natural History, his name will stand
coupled with that of Sir Joseph Bunks.

NATURAL HISTORY

OF

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.

TETRAONIDE OR GROUSE.

Iw fulfilment of our promise stated at the conclu-
sion of the last volume, we now proceed to consider
another family among the Rasores or Gallinaceous
Birds—the Tetraonide or Grouse. *

The Tetraonidz or Grouse contain the principal
part of those birds which, in sporting language, have
been called game. Very few of these have been do-
mesticated for the use of man, but their preservation
in a wild state, and means for an abundant capture,
have in all ages exercised the ingenuity of the inha-
bitants of civilized districts, and at this time form a
large account in the luxuries of populous cities ; while
in countries in astate of purer nature, they are much
used as a wholesome and general food.

* Mr Selby has undertaken the description of the beau-

tiful Columbid or Pigeons, and Thirty Drawings from the
pencil of Mr Lear are now in the hands of the engraver.

68 NATURAL HISTORY OF

Among the true Gallinaceous birds, we find the
different members living very much upon the ground,
the power of flight limited, from the great weight
of their bodies or unwieldiness of plumage, and very
commonly an extraordinary development of the parts
composing the tail. In the present family, the
ground is still their prevailing habitation, though
many of them frequently perch and roost on trees.
Their power of flight is ample, very strong, in some,
as the genus Pterocles, extremely rapid, but in a
few forms almost as little used as among the Pa-
vonide. Some portion of these useful birds are
spread over every region of the world, and in almost
all localities. ‘The section of the grouse to which
the muir-fowl of Britain and the ptarmigan belong,
occupy the wild heathy districts of the temperate
circle, and extend to the most barren and alpine moun-
tains, or the extremes of polar cold. The true
grouse, again, to which the European wood grouse
belongs, occupy the forest and bushy grounds, and ex-
tend almost as far. The partridges prefer open coun-
tries free from wood, and draw near to cultivation ;
but within the tropics there are one or two forms,
which, like the grouse, prefer the brush and wood,
where, on the branches, they are safer from the at-
tacks of the numerous tribes of reptiles which swarm
around them. The gangas, again, or, as they have
been named, the sand grouse, frequent the most bar-
ren districts in the world, the plains of India and the
trackless deserts of Africa and Arabia, far from the

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 69

haunts of men, and almost as far from food and wa-
ter, but endowed with powers for extensive locomo-
tion, they traverse in a day leagues of the waste.

A few species are polygamous like the former fa-
mily, the males at dawn seeking some eminence, and
attracting the females by their continued calls, strut-
ting around and displaying their plumage ; but by
far the greater number are monogamous, and regu-
larly pair. The male remains near his consort du-
ring incubation, and both sedulously attend upon
and defend the young, which keep together in coveys
until the warmth of the fullowing spring excites new
desires, and causes their separation. All breed up-
on the ground, making scarcely any nest, and, with a
few exceptions, they lay a number of eggs. In one
or two instances, two broods are hatched in the sea-
son, but this is rare, and only continues where the
regions inhabited are very warm. The cry of most
of these birds is harsh, in a few deep and hoarse ; it
is uttered only in the breeding season, in cases of
dispersion, and at morn and even like a roll-call to
see that none are wanting. The plumage is subject
to considerable variation between the males and fe-
males during the breeding season, and in those which
inhabit northern regions or alpine districts, a change
of plumage in winter, different from that of spring
or summer, takes place.

Among the true grouse, such as the wood-grouse,
black-cock, and beautiful birds of America, the males
are distinguished by a plumage of deep glossy black,

70 NATURAL HISTORY OF GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.

tinted with blue or green, or they have broad and
conspicuous patches of these colours mingled with
the other shades. The females are invariably of a
brown or greyish-brown ground tint, barred or waved
with black. The plumage of the young differs from
both in being of paler shades, and in the markings
being more irregular and confused. In the Lago-
pus or ptarmigan the males are deep brown or yel-
low, barred with black and a lighter shade ; females
always of a lighter tint, and the paler markings more
conspicuous. In winter the change is to pure white,
having the quills or tail-feathers only dark. Among
the partridges and quails the difference is not gene-
rally so great, but there is always some distinguish-
ing mark, often black or deep brown. The wattles,
caruncules, and naked spaces, so frequent about the
heads of the Pavonidwe, we find represented in the
beautiful scarlet skin above the eyes, and which in
spring becomes much «developed and brightened in
colour.

In the arrangement of these birds, Mr Swainson
has pointed out what he considers may be the typi-
cal forms, although he thinks that a little examination
is still necessary. ‘They are Perdix, Tetrao, Cryp-
tonix, Oriygis, and Crypturus. We shall now pro-
ceed to examine these, together with the different
genera which have been established, and shall com-
mence with

PERDIX,—Barussoy.

The partridges appear to form one point of con-
nection between the present family and that which
formed the subject of our last volume, through the
guinea-fowl. ‘There are many resemblances in their
habits and dispositions, harsh ery, and in numerous
instances the spotted plumage. The Perdix cla-
mater of Temminck may perhaps be mentioned as
oue of the birds forming this passage. It is remark-
able for its loud harsh ery, which, says Temminck,
like the guinea-fowl, it delights incessantly to repeat,
particularly at daybreak and dusk, when the broods
assemble to perch on the trees and woods which
overhang the rivers. It is in many ways, says the
same author, connected with our pintadoes, and may
one day form an addition to our poultry-yard, the
Cape colonists having already succeeded in rearing
them in captivity.

The genus Perdix was established by Brisson,
taking the common European partridge as typical,
but it was made to contain an assemblage of birds,
some of which will not even rank among the family.
The quails and the strong-billed American partridges
have been separated by modern systematists. Ste-
phens mad» another separation in the Francolins with

72 PERDIX.

spurred legs, and there are several other modified
forms which will undoubtedly form subgenera, such
as the large bare-necked pheasant-looking partridges
of Africa, but as we «lo not think the present work
suitable for characterising new genera, or for enter-
ing into minute distinctions, with the exception of
Ortyx and the Quails, we have kept them under the
denomination of Perdiz, but will point out the most
marked distinctions xs they occur. We have repre-
sented as typical of the true partridges.—

VAUANIO SIMA

L ALY Ted

73

THE COMMON PARTRIDGE.
Perdiz cinerea.—A.provannus, Ray.
PLATE I.

Perdix cinerea, Montague, Latham, Bewick, Selby, &c.

A detailed description of this familiarly known
bird is unnecessary. It is distributed extensively
over Europe, and, according to Temminck, extends
to Barbary and Egypt, where it is migratory. It
is almost everywhere abundant in our own island,
the more northern muiry districts excepted. It fol-
lows the steps of man as he reclaims the wastes,
and delights in the cultivation which brings to it as
to the labourers a plentiful harvest of grain. ‘They
are perliaps most abundant in the lower richly culti-
vated plains of England, but even the south of Scot-
land supplies many of the more northern markets
with this game.

Very early in spring—the first mild days even of
February —the partridges have paired, and each
couple may be found near the part selected for their
summer abode, long before the actual preparations
for incubation has commenced. ‘These are begun at
a later period than generally imagined, and even in
the beginning of September, particularly in the wilder

VOL. IV. F

74 THE COMMON PARTRIDGE.

districts, the young are not more than half grown.
The nest is formed, or rather the spot where the eggs
are to be deposited, is scraped out in some ready made
hollow or furrow, or placed under cover of a tuft of
grass, and from twelve to twenty eggs are deposited.
This mode of nidification prevails through the whole
genus. No nest is made, and often no great care
of concealmeut is displayed. In cultivated countries
the young grasses and corns are their favourite
breeding places, the former often fatal from the hay-
harvest having commenced before the brood is
hatched. The choice of a place of security for their
eggs is not always the same, for Montague mentions
a pair which successively selected the top of an old
pollard oak, and Mr Selby writes of having known
several parallel cases. It is a singular trait in the
habits of many birds, that those often of a wild na-
ture will select the most frequented parts for their
nests. Both partridges and pheasants are often dis-
covered with the nest placed within two or three
feet of a highway or footpath, where there is a
daily passage of men and animals. ‘The parents, as
if knowing their safety depended on sitting close,
remain quiet amidst all the bustle, and often hatch
in such places,

During incubation the male sedulously attends,
and will generally be found near if the female is in-
truded upon by any of her less formidable enemies.
When the brood is hatched, both lead about the young
and assist them to their food; and mild and timid

THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 75

as the partridge is generally described, instances
have been seen where the love of offspring prevailed,
and a vigorous defence was successfully maintained
against a more powerful assailant. Among the many
instances of such defence mentioned by various
authors, we shall notice one of the latest which
Mr Selby has recorded in the last edition of his
History of British Ornithology * :—* Their parental
instinct, indeed, is not always confined to mere de-
vices for engaging attention; but where there ex-
ists a probability of success, they will fight obsti-
nately for the preservation of their young, as appears
from many instances already narrated by different
writers, and to which the following may be added,
for the trath of which I can vouch, A person en-
gaged in a field, not far from my residence, had his
attention arrested by some objects on the ground,
which, upon approaching, he found to be two par-
tridges, a male and female, engaged in battle with a
carrion-crow ; so successful and so absorbed were
they in the issue of the contest, that they actually
held the crow, till it was seized, and taken from
them by the spectator of the scene. Upon search,
the young birds (very lately hatched) were found con-
cealed amongst the grass. It would appear, there-
fore, that the crow, a mortal enemy to all kinds of
young game, in attempting to carry off one of these,
had been attacked by the parent birds, and with the
above singular success.” Such displays are, how-

Vol. i. p. 435.

76 THE COMMON PARTRIDGE.

ever, comparatively seldom witnessed or indeed ex-
ercised, for nature has implanted another device in
the greater numbers of this family, in which the or-
gans of defence are in reality weak, against their
many assailants, both animal and feathered. Strata-
gem is resorted to, and the parent feigns lameness
and even death to withdraw the aggressor. The
noise and confusion which occurs when a person
suddenly and unawares comes on a young brood of
partridges is remarkable, The shrieks of the parents
apparently tumbling and escaping away with broken
legs and wings is well acted, and often succeeds in
withdrawing the dog and his young attendant be-
yond the possibility of discovering the hiding places
of the brood. When this is attained, their wonted
strength is soon recovered, a flight to a considerable
distance is taken, but by the time the aggressor has
reached the marked spot, the bird has again circui-
tously come up with her charge, and is ready to act
her part if again discovered.

Partridge shooting is one of the most esteemed
sports of the British fowler; and when pursued in a
sportsman-like manner, with finely bred dogs, is of
considerable interest. The county of Norfolk has
been long celebrated for the number of its partridges,
as well as for her zealous agriculturist, Mr Coke, one
_ of the first shots in the kingdom. The following ac-
count from Pieree Egan's anecdotes, will give some
idea both of the abundance of the partridge, and the
excess to which the sport may be carried.

THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 77

** The bet between Mr William Coke and Lord
Kennedy, was for 200 sovereigns a-side, play or pay,
who shot and bagged the greatest number of par-
tridges in two days sporting ; both parties to shoot
on the same days, the 26th of September 1823, and
the 4th of October in the same season. Mr William
Coke to sport upon his uncle’s manors in Norfolk ;
and Lord Kennedy in any part of Scotland he pleased.
The result of Mr Coke's first day's shooting was
eighty and a half brace of birds bagged. On Satur-
day, October 4, Mr W. Coke took the field soon af-
ter six o'clock in the morning ; he was accompanied
by his uncle, T. W. Coke, Esq. M.P., and by two
umpires; Colonel Dixon for Mr Coke, and F. 8.
Blant, Esq. for Lord Kennedy; also by two of his
friends, Sir H. Goodrich, Bart., and F. Hollyhocke,
Esq. He was attended by several gamekeepers,
and by one dog only, to pick up the game. Several
respectable neighbouring yeonien volunteered their
services in assisting to beat for game, and rendered
essential service throughout the day. Mr Coke
sported over part of the Wigton and Egmere manors.
The morning was foggy, and the turnips were so wet
that the birds would notlie among them. Very little
execution was done, in consequence, in the early part
of the day; in the two first hours only six brace of
birds were bagged. The day cleared up after eight
o'clock, and the sportsman amply made up for his
lost time. He found birds plentiful among Mr
Denny's fine crop of turnips on the Egmere farm,

78 THE COMMON PARTRIDGE,

and in one and twenty acre breck of Swedes, he
bagged thirty-five and a half brace of birds, He
concluded his day's sport soon after six in the even-
ing, and had then bagged eighty-eight brace of birds,
and five pheasants; but a dispute having arisen
among the umpires about one bird, Colonel Dixon
gave the point up, and the number was ultimately
declared to be eighty-seven and a half brace of birds
bagged ; pheasants and other game not counted in
the match; so that Mr W. Coke's number of birds
bagged in the two days shooting, stands 173 brace,
He had much fewer shots in the second than in the
first day, but he shot better, as will be seen from the
comparative number of birds bagged. On Saturday
he bagged 180 birds from 327 shots, which was con-
sidered good shooting in a match of this nature,
when a chance, however desperate it may appear, is
not to be thrown away. His uncle, T. W. Coke,
Esq. loaded a great part of the gun on Saturday,
and as a finale to the day's sport, shot at and killed
the last bird, which his nephew had previously missed
Lady Ann Coke was in the field a great part of the
day ; her ladyship carried refreshments for the sports-
men in her pony gig. Lord Kennedy chose for the
scene of his exploits Montreith, in Scotland, a manor
belonging to Sir William Maxwell, considered equal
to any lands in Scotland for rearing partridges. On
the first day of trial his lordship bagged fifty, and on
the second, eighty-two brace, being in all 132 brace
of partridges in two days.”

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THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 79

Varieties of the partridge frequently occur, the
most common are those varied with white, which
sometimes prevails through a whole covey. Speci-
mens entirely of a cream-colour are also not unfre-
quent, and here, although the tint may be said to be
uniform, the various markings of the plumage appear
conspicuous in different lights, as if from a variation
of the structure of the feathers. But the most cu-
rious variety of the partridge is one which, by many
authors, has been thought to be distinct—the Perdir
montana. We have given a representation of this
variety on our next plate, from a specimen in the
Edinburgh Museum.

THE MOUNTAIN PARTRIDGE,
Perdiz cinerea.—var. Montana,

PLATE II.

Tuts variety has been said to be more frequently
found in alpine districts than in lowlands, but they
are known to mingle occasionally with those of com-
mon plumage. ‘The colour is remarkable to be as-
sumed asa variety, though it is often, we may say,
generally mingled with whitish or reddish-white. The
whole plumage is of deep sienna-brown, and this
colour, somewhat like that of the common grouse,
prevails in many species entirely upon the breast,

80 THE MOUNTAIN PARTRIDGE,

lower parts, and shoulders. The specimens are ge-
nerally less than those of ordinary plumage.

‘The partridge, therefore, seems to have a more
extensive range of variation than almost any bird we
are acquainted with, and according to Temminck
and some other authors, is somewhat influenced by
almost every change of climate. Those broods which
frequent and are bred on the marshy grounds of the
Zuyder Zee and mouth of Meuse are less in size and
of a duller tint than those found in the drier lands of
Belgium. Dry or parched districts, abundance of food
and water, will always influence their condition, and
it is to the same causes, with variation of climate, that
Temminck attributes the migrations of the partridge
on some parts of the continent, and which are also
said to be of a smaller size than those which do not
migrate. This migratory bird has by some been
also raised to the rank of a species, and named the
Damascus partridge. By the modern ornithologists
of this country, it is very little known, or its claims
upon which even the variety rests ascertained, beyond
the fact of its migration. And our latest, or indeed
only authority from actual examination, is that of
Temminck, who says that among many individuals
he has been able to discover no good distinctions.

Our next illustration is from a very beautiful spe-
cies inhabiting the continent of India; it is

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PERDIX PICTA

81

THE PAINTED PARTRIDGE.
Perdix picta—Janp. anv SELsy.

Puiats IIT.

Perdix picta, Jardine and Selby’s Illustrations of Ornitho-
logy, vol. i. pl. 1.

Tus very beautiful species, belonging to the
true partridges, is a native of the plains of India,
and of late years has not unfrequently been brought
in collections to this country; yet, notwithstand-
ing, it is to be regretted that little is known of its
habits. The following is a description of the speci-
men from the neighbourhood of Bangalore, from
which the original of our plate was taken. The
crown is brown, with the margins of the feathers
yellowish-white; the face, region of the eyes and
auriculars, pale brownish-orange ; the hinder part
of the neck pale buff; the centre of each feather
black ; the front and sides of the neck white, spotted
with black; the breast, belly, and flanks, beautifully
spotted with black and yellowish-white ; the ground
of each feather may be said to be black ; and on each
web there are two, and sometimes three, round spots
of yellowish-white, which leave, as it were, a bar

VOL. IV. G

82 THE PAINTED PARTRIDGE.

across, and a line along the patches, those at the end
have the extremity with a black margin. The up-
per part of the back and wings deep brown, with
round spots of yellowish white, and with the margins
of the feathers wood-brown; the lower part of the
back and rump transversely barred with black and
white ; quills barred with hair-brown and pale red-
dish-orange ; upper tail-coverts brown, delicately
waved with irregular bars of black and white. Tail
brownish-black, with narrow white bars, principally
at the base of the feathers; vent and under tail co-
verts deep orange-brown.

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83

THE ROCK OR BARBARY PARTRIDGE.
Perdiz petrosa.—Linx2v3.
Puate IV.

The Red. Legged Partridge from Barbary, Edwards’ Birds,
pl. 70.—Lath. General History, vol. viii. p. 293.—Perdix
petrosa, Latham.—Temmineck, Pigeons et Gaillinacés, iii.
Ind. p, 727.—Perdix Gambra, Temminck, Pigeons et Gal-
linagés, iii. 368.

Wira this handsome bird we enter a small group
of the partridges which are remarkable for the beau-
tifully marked and shewy appearance of the feathers
covering the flanks, The general tint of plumage is
very regular throughout ; the bill and legs are always
red, and the latter are sometimes slightly spurred
and knotted. They inhabit Europe, the north of
Africa, and India. The most familiar example will
he the common Red-legged, French, or, as it is
sometimes termed, Guernsey Partridge ; but we have
selected two equally beautiful, but less known birds,
as examples of it.

The Rock or Barbary Partridge inhabits the most
southern countries of Europe, stretching into Spain,
and thence upon the coast of Africa. It is also met

84 THE ROCK OR BARBARY PARTRIDGE,

with upon the banks of the Gambia, and in the island
of Teneriffe. It delights in rocky districts, and the
ragged precipices of the southern Alps, and seldom
or never strays down upon the plains. The accom-
panying figure will convey an idea of the colours of
this species. It is distinguished from all the others
by the patch of deep chestnut upon the sides of the
neck, beautifully relieved by the clear white spots.
It is not very commonly met with in collections,
being like almost all the birds of southern Europe,
more difficult to be procured than those of more dis-
tant countries.
The next we shal] mention is

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A SALVE

THE CHUKAR PARTRIDGE.
Perdis chukar—Latuam.
PLATE V.

Perdix chukar, Gould's Century, vol. Ixxi.—Gray’s Illus-
trations af Indian Zoology.

Tue geveral colour of the upper plumage is ash-
grey, tinged with a shade of purple, particularly
across the centre of the back; a deep black line passes
across the forehead through the eyes, and extends
downwards in a crescent form upon the sides of
the neck and chest, the threat, and inside of the
circle, being pale yellowish-white. The breast is
nearly of the same colour with the centre of the
back, but paler, and the rest of the lower parts
are of a dull yellow. The conspicuous barring on
the sides is alternately yellowish-white, chestnut, and
black.

We are indebted to Mr Gould for the use of his
illustration, taken from a Himalayan specimen. That
gentleman also tells us that specimens are alive in
the Zoological Garden, where they have the same
pugnacious and irritable temper of the Common Red-

86 THE CHUKAR PARTRIDGE.

legged Partridge, being perpetually at war with their
fellow captives.

These figures will give a tolerable idea of this
small group. The others belonging to it are the Greek
Partridge, Perdix saxatilis of authors, so very close-
ly allied to the last, as by many to be considered
identical; the distinctions have never been clearly
pointed out, and it is a bird very likely to extend to
India. Plate Y. will shew what has been considered
P. Chukar.

The Greek Partridge is found abundantly upon
the German Alps of middling height, never descend-
ing to the plains or low valleys. They remain in
smal! coveys until the breeding season, when they
pair like the others, the female making her nest in
more concealed situations under the roots of trees,
or among stones or rocks, covered with brush. The
eggs are yellowish-white, indistinctly blotched with
reddish-yellow, ‘They scarcely stretch into France,
being found only sparingly in some of the higher
mountainous provinces. It is most abundant in the
Ottoman empire, in the Greek Islands, and in the
south of Italy.

The other is the Perdix Rufa or Red-legged
Partridge. The last has now been introduced into
several of the southern counties of England, and ap-
pears to succeed and multiply. As game, however,
they are esteemed neither by the sportsman or epi-
cure, their flesh being much drier than that of the
ordinary bird, while their skulking habits upon

THE GREEK PARTRIDGE. 87

alarm, the great speed with which they run, and
their unwillingness to take flight, prevents them being
sought after in the field. Both the last are occa-
sionally subject to be spotted, and nearly white va-
rieties occur.

The next partridge we shall notice is one of the
most beautifully marked.

88

THE COMMON FRANCOLIN.

Perdiz francolinus—LaTuam.
PLATE VI.

Perdix francolinus, Latham, General History, viii. p. 271.
—Le Francolin, Buffon, Pl, enluminée, M. and F. pls. 147
and 148.—Francolin a Colier Rousse, Temminck, Pigeons
et Gallinacés, iii, p. 340,

Tne Common Francolin has been placed at the
extremity of those with one or more spurs upon
the legs, of a very much barred and spotted plu-
mage, the bill stronger, the tail more lengthened,
and forms the genus Francolinus of Stephens. All
the members of it perch as well as frequent the
ground, and in some of the species, the legs are
armed with spurs of very great strength and sharp-
ness. We have represented the common bird, as it is
the only European species, though not the most ty-
pical.

The Francolin is a native of the south of Europe,
Sicily, and the islands of the Greek Archipelago,
Africa, and India, where it inhabits the marshy
grounds, and thence has received the name of Mea-
dow Partridge. In Africa, particularly upon the
coast of Barbary, and in India, it is every whiere
esteemed for its excellency at the table, and ad-

spre () 407 Aes

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THE COMMON FRANCOLIN. 89

mired for its fine plumage. It is not a large spe-
cies, the male scarcely exceeding twelve inches in
length; the colouring is black, white, rufous, and
yellowish-brown, disposed in decided and contrast-
ed markings of large patches, spots, or bars, but yet
so distributed as to want all harshness, and to have
a chaste and blended appearance. The female wants
all the deep black and white markings of the male,
as well as the rufous collar ; the ground colour of the
plumage is a yellowish-brown, waved and barred
with umber-brown, and having the markings of the
wings and tail nearly the same as in the male, but of
a paler colour.

Our next bird is a very singularly formed species.
It is

VOL. IV. H

90

THE SANGUINE PARTRIDGE.
Perdix cruentatus—TremMincn.
PLATE VII.

Phasianus cruentatus, Trans. of Lin. Soc. vol, xiii. p. 287.

* —Sanguine Pheasant, Lath, General History, p. 205,—
Francolin ensanglante, Perdix cruentata, Temminck, Pi.
Coloriées, pl. 332.

Tus bird has also been placed among the Fran-
colins, on account of the spurred tarsi, but it is pro-
bable it will stand ultimately as some subgenus, being
one of those birds which are almost neither one thing
nor another. It forms the connexion in some points
between the present family and the Pavonide. The
remarkable parts of its structure are the lengthened
form of the feathers of the heal and neck, the bril-
liant tints of the plumage, and, like the polyplectron,
having sometimes one, two, or three spurs upon the
tarsi, which are themselves more slender and length-
ened than those of most of the others.- It inhabits
the upper parts of the unexplored districts of Nepaul,
and adds another to the many splendid and peculiar
gallinaceous birds, which are there so abundant.

It was first described in the Transactions of the

FPRANCOLINTS CHV ANTATUS

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THE SANGUINE PARTRIDGE. 91

Linnean Society, under the name of Phasianus,
a name at once implying its connections. A se-
cond description and figure appeared in the Planches
Coloriées of Temminck, and our present represen-
tation is from a specimen in the Edinburgh Mu-
seum. The male is about 16 inches in Jength,
and the accompanying Plate will sufficiently de-
tail the colours without a description. It has re-
ceived its specific name from the blotches of red
upon the breast, and the rich crimson which adorns
the tail and its coverts. The legs are irregularly
spurred, two sometimes on one and only one on
the other. In Temminck’s figure two are repre-
sented on the one leg, and on the other four, in two
pairs. ‘The female is said to resemble the male in
the colours, except in being duller in hue; the size
is less and the legs are without spurs. This is a
rare bird in collections.

It would be impossible in our present limits to de-
scribe every species of the larger groups of this fa-
mily, but before proceeding to the quails, we shall
notice one or two other birds. There is a beautiful
bird from the deserts of Acaba in Arabia, which
Temminck has dedicated to Mons. Hey, the compa-
nion of Ruppel. Perdix Heyii is of size interme-
diate between the common partridge and the quail,
and is now mentioned from the resemblance which
it bears to the Red-legged Rock and Barbary par-
tridges, in the nearly uniform tint of the upper plu-
mage ; the feathers on the flanks are also bordered

92 THE SANGUINE PARTRIDGE.

with black upon the sides, while the legs, feet, and
bill are bright red. The tail, ramp, and secondaries,
again, shew the beautiful delicate barring seen in
those parts of the common francolin and painted par-
tridge.

There is asmall Indian group among the partridges
which also deserves notice. The wings are more
ample and rounded, the tail short, the body more
clamsy ; the bill and legs strong, and the feet large.
They inhabit principally the Indian islands, frequent-
ing the skirts of the mountain forests. The Perdiz
Javanica of Latham, Perdix megapodia, Temminck,
and Perdix personata, Horsfield, are examples of
this form. Another form we noticed before was
the pheasant-like partridges of Africa, so similar to
the females of these birds, that, with the addition of
the tail, they might be passed off to an ordinary ob-
server. Perdix bicalcarata of Latham will exemplify
this. To these perhaps might also be added another
remarkable bird, the hackled partridge of Latham, of
which there seems an uncertainty regarding its na-
tive country. Dr Latham’s bird was in the Leverian
Museum, and was supposed to have come from the
Cape of Good Hope ; while Temminck, upon the au-
thority of Sonnerat, makes it a native of Eastern
Asia. ‘The most remarkable feature in the plumage
of this otherwise soberly dressed bird is in the feathers
on the back and sides of the neck and upper part of
the back being of an inch and half Jong, and hackle-
shaped, as in the common cock, and in their colour

THE SANGUINE PARTRIDGE. 95

they possess the changing greenish tints of the cocks
and pheasants. It is a very rare bird, and much to
be regretted there is nothing known of its habits.

We shall now proceed to the Quails, and as clia-
racteristic of these neat little birds have repre-
sented

94

THE COROMANDEL QUAIL.
Coturnix textilis—TeEMMINCE.
PLATE VIII.

Coromandel Quail, Latham, General Iistory, viii. p. 310.—
Caille Nattée, Coturnix textilis, Temminck, Pigeons et
Gallinacés, iii. p. 512. Pl. Coloriées, pl. 35.

Tue Quails, forming the genus Coturniz of mo-
derns, are at first sight so similar to the partridges,
that they are not to be distinguished without a know-
ledge of their habits, and examination of their forms.
In the bill and legs there are slight modifications,
but the form of the wing is quite different, the first
three quills being longest, while in the partridges the
third is the longest, and a rounded wing of less
power is the consequence. It may be recollected
that, though the partridges were said to migrate in
some countries, the migration is comparatively very
partial, and often only from one part of a con-
tinent to another; on the other hand, almost all
the quails migrate to a certain distance, and hence
perform lengthened journeys often across the seas.
In their habits they also shew considerable dif-
ference, as they never perch. They often assem-
ble in large flocks after the breeding season: and al-

RINWMALO

@ ALY Td

s

THE COROMANDEL QUAIL. 95

though they pair regularly, so soon as the female
commences to sit, she is left alone, and the male at-
tends no longer, nor afterwards assists in protecting
the brood. They delight in cultivated countries,
and never frequent woods. They are found in Eu-
rope, Asia, Africa, and New Holland. The allied
birds of America come under a different section.

The pretty little species figured will give an ex-
act idea of the form of the quails. It is rather less
than the European species, being in length only
about six inches. ‘The upper parts somewhat resem-
ble those of the common bird, but are more broad-
ly marked, while the deep black markings on the
lower parts at once distinguish it, and are beautifully
relieved from the paler parts of the breast and belly.
The female differs from the male in wanting the
greater part of the black on the lower parts, indica-
tions of the two bands on the throat being only seen.
The breast is reddish-brown, the feathers with a
black centre, and the other lower parts are of a dull
white. This quail seems abundant, and is pretty
generally distributed over the continent of India.

Among the quails there are many beautifully mark-
ed species, all: of diminutive size. We shall only,
however, be able to notice that of Europe, an occa-
sional visitor to Britain.

96 THE COMMON QUAIL.

THE COMMON QUAIL

Seems to be generally distributed over the old
world, though, in the south of Europe, it is perhaps
as abundant as elsewhere. In Britain they may now
be termed only an occasional visitant, the numbers
of those which arrive to breed having considerably de-
creased, and they are to be met with certainty only in
some of the warmer southern or midland counties of
England. Thirty years since they were tolerably
common and regular in their returns; and even in
the south of Scotland a few broods were occasional-
ly to be found. In these same districts they are
now very uncertain. We have known of broods
twice, and occasionally bave shot a straggler appa-
rently on its way to the south. They are extremely
difficult to flush after the first time. ‘The nest is
made by the female, but, like the partridges, the
eggs are deposited almost on the bare ground ; these,
also, unlike the uniform tint which we find prevailing
in those of the true partridges, are deeply blotched
with oil-green, and, except in form, are somewhat si-
milar to those of the snipe. In France they are
very abundant ; and besides supplying the markets of
that country, thousands are imported alive by the
London poulterers, and fattened for the Juxury of the
metropolis.

They are taken by nets, into which they are decoyed

THE COMMON QUAIL. 97

by imitating their call. On the coast of Italy and Si-
cily, and all the Greek islands, they arrive at certain
seasons in immense numbers. An hundred thousand
are said to have been taken in one day. They are run
after during the flight like the passenger pigeons of
America, and a harvest is gathered when the numbers
are greatest. In Sicily, crowds of all ages and degrees
assemble on the shore. ‘The number of boats is even
greater ; and enviable is the lot of the idle appren-
tice, who, with a borrowed musket or pistol, no mat-
ter how unsafe, has gained possession of the farthest
rock, where there is but room for himself and his
dog, which he has fed with bread only, all the year
round for these delightful days, and which sits in as
happy expectation as himself for the arrival of the
quails.* Ortygia was named from them; and so
abundant were they on Capri, an island at the en-
trance of the Gulf of Naples, that they formed the
principal revenue of the bishop of the island. From
twelve to sixty thousand were annually taken; and
one year the capture amounted to one hundred and
sixty thousand. In China, and in many of the east-
ern islands, and Malacca, they are also very abund-
ant, performing regular migrations from the interior
to the coast. Here they are domesticated along with
a small species of Ortygis, and trained to fight.
Large stakes are risked upon the result, as in the
cockpit. They are also used by the Chinese to warm
their hands in cold weather, their bodies being thought

* Galt’s Travels,
VOL, IV. i

98 THE COMMON QUAIL.

to contain a large proportion of animal heat, from the
pugnacious disposition of their tempers.

The common quail has the crown of the head and
back of the neck black, each feather margined with
chestnut ; and down the centre of the head and neck
there is a cream-yellow streak. Over each eye, and
proceeding down the neck, is a white streak: chin
and throat chestnut-brown, mixed with blackish-
brown. Back scapulars and wing-coverts black, the
feathers margined and varied with brown, and each
having its shaft and central parts sienna-yellow. The
breast and belly are pale buff or orange, the shafts and
margins of the feathers yellowish-white. Tail black-
ish-brown, with the shafts, tips, and base cream-
yellow. In the female there is no black or brown
on the neck and throat. Her breast is spotted with
blackish-brown, and the general tints of her plumage
are paler. Pure white on spotted varieties some-
times occur.

We must now deszribe a singular American bird,
of whose station we are by no means certain.—It is

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99

LATREILLE’S ATTAGIS.
Attagis Latreillei.—Lesson.
PLATE IX.

L*Attagis de Latreille, Attagis Latreillei, Less. 1ustrations
de Zoologie.

Two species of these curious birds have been fi-
gured by Lesson, the one in his “ Zoological Century,”
the other in his “ Illustrations,” the latter of which has
now served for our copy. Both are from Chili; but
we regret that nothing has. been communicated re-
garding their habits, or the districts in which they
are found, and conjecture only is set to work to place
them in their proper situation. The present species
is about eight inches in length, therefore not much
exceeding the size of the common quail. The bill
appears formed somewhat like that of pterocles, but
the feet and tarsi are unplumed. It is probable that
they may hold the same place in the vast South
American plains, which the ganga does in the more
sterile deserts of the old world. The tints of the
plumage in both are blended with chaste shades of
brown.

There is another bird of which Lesson and Esch-

100 LATREILLES ATTAGIS.

scholtz make a genus,—Tinochorus, which ap-
proaches near to this, and is also a native of South
America ; but from want of materials, it can only be
now indicated.

When these are better known, we have no doubt
of their proving very interesting forms, and filling up
some blank in the present family of birds. We s: all
now proceed to a small group, better, though ut
imperfectly, known, the American Quails, included
under the genus Ortyxz. The first we shall notice
is

THE VIRGINIAN QUAIL OR PARTRIDGE. 103

become very donresticated, but always desert in the
first spring, when the season of incubation com-
mences. *

Among the many methods taken to capture these
birds, one related by Audubon seems eminently suc-
cessful. A cylindrical net is used thirty or forty
feet in height, and about two in diameter, except at
the mouth, where it is wider. This is fixed to the
ground with the mouth open, and two additional
pieces of net are fixed at each side, to enlarge as it
were the entrance. Into this the birds are driven
by a number of persons on horseback, who surround
the covey when discovered. T'ifteen or twenty par-
tridges are thus often caught at one driving, and
sometimes many hundreds during the day.+

The Virginian partridge has been attempted to be
introduced in several parts of the European conti-
nent, but we are uncertain with what success. They
have also been tried in some of the English counties.

Our next Plate exhibits one of the most beautiful
of the genus—

" Wilson's North American Ornithology. + Audubon.

104

THE CALIFORNIAN ORTYX.
Ortyx Californica,—Sreruens.
PLATE XI.

Californian colin, Ortyx Californica, Stephens, Continua-
fion, vol. xi. p. 384,—Californian Quail, Gardens of Zoo-
logical Society, ii. p, 29. a beautiful woodcut,

Tus graceful and beautifully marked species is
found in the low woods and plains of California, and
was met with during both the voyages of La Pe-
rouse and Vancouver; and a figure is given in the
atlas of plates accompanying the former. A single spe-
cimen, part of the produce of the latter voyage, was
deposited in the British Museum, and served for the
descriptions and figures given in this country, pre-
vious to the return of Captain Beechey from his voy-
age to the Pacific, &c., who brought with him speci-
mens alive. One only survived its arrival to the
Zoological Gardens, but seemed to bear the change
of climate perfectly.

The general colour of the upper plumage is a
brownish-grey. The feathers on the back and sides
of the neck have a deep black margin, and often a
white tip. The throat is deep rich black, but be-
tween and the angular markings of the sides there

THE CALIFORNIAN ORTYX. 105

is a crescent band of pure white. The feathers of
the lower part of the belly are deeply margined with
black, and the long plumes of the flanks are marked
along the centre with a stripe of yellow. But the
beautiful and remarkable adornment is the crest up-
on the crown, composed of several feathers, narrow
at the base broadening towards the tip, and folded
as it were together from the shaft. They are of a
dull rich black and lie generally backwards, but can
be raised at pleasure ; and upon any excitement are
erected, almost bending forward upon the front.

VOL. IV K

106

THE LONG-TAILED ORTYX.
Ortyx macroura,—J agp. and SELBY.
PLATE XII.

Ortyx macroura, JUust. of Ornithol. pl. xlix.

On this Plate we have figured a species of Ortyx,
of a form at variance with those already noticed, be-
ing remarkable for its long and broadly formed tail.
We regret that nothing is known of its habits. It is
a native of Mexico, and the only specimen we know
of was purchased at the sale of Bulloch’s Mexican
collection. Its length is about 13 inches, the bill
very strong, and with the legs orange-red. The
feathers on the crown, throat, and cheeks are black,
those on the head lengthened into a crest and tipped
with reddish-brown. A line of reddish-white ex-
tends above the eyes and auriculars, and loses itself
on the sides of the neck; another of the same colour
runs under the eyes upon the auriculars. The back,
sides of the neck, and upper parts of the breast, are
reddish-brown; the middle of the belly and vent
silvery grey, passing into bluish-grey, and minutely
freckled with black. The rest of the upper parts are
wood-brown, barred and spotted with black, and

THE LONG-TAILED ORTYX. 107

blotched with large spots of yellowish-white. The
length of the tail-feathers is 54 inches, they are broad
and rounded.

Several other species are known. ‘Two were
brought to this country by Mr Douglas from his jour-
ney to Columbia; one has been denominated Q. picta,
which is also crested. This bird, says Mr Douglas,
congregates in vast flocks in the interior of California
from October to March, and seem to live in a state of
perpetual warfare. Dreadful conflicts ensue between
the males, which not uncommonly end in the de-
struction of one or both combatants, if we may judge
from the number of dead birds daily seen plucked,
mutilated, and covered with blood. When feeding
they move in compact bodies, each individual endea-
vouring to outdo his neighbour in obtaining the prize.
During winter, when the ground is covered with
snow, they migrate in large flocks to more temperate
places in the vicinity of the ocean.

Ortyx Douglasii is: another bird said to be dis-
tinct, so named by Mr Vigors, and brought by Mr
Douglass nearly from the same country. Ortyzx
Montesume, capistrata, and Sonnint, are all rare
and beautiful species.

From these birds we shall now commence an ac-
count of the true grouse, T¢trao, the typical group
of the family.

108

GROUSE.

By the word Grouse, we, in general language, are
most apt to associate our ideas with the common
Muirfowl. But in the technical terms of Ornitho-
logy, the generic name Grouse and Tetrao is re-
stricted to those bearing the form of the European
wood-grouse, Dusky grouse of America, &c. They
are the largest birds of the family, of a very round
and powerful form, and frequent heathy forests in
preference to the wild and open muir, perch and of-
ten roost on trees, where young shoots and tender
bark also supply them with food; and although the
legs are plumed with short feathers, the toes are
naked. The tail is composed of broad feathers and
is proportionally long and rounded. They are most-
ly polygamous, and the females and young differ
considerably from the males, the plumage of the for-
mer being shades of brown and tawny, with black
bars and markings, the colours of the latter distri-
buted in broad masses of black, glossy green or steel-
blue, and deep brown. They inhabit North Ame-
rica and Europe, those of the latter country extend-
ing into Northern Asia.

TETRAO TROGALLIS

109

THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.
Tetrao urogallus.—LInn 2s.

Tetrao urogallus, Linneus—W ood Grouse, Pennant.—Te-
tras auerhan, Temminck, Manuel, ii. p. 457.

PLATE XIII.

Ar the head of this section we place the eaper-
cailzie—the “giant grouse” as he is somewhere
termed. First in size and first in noble bearing, his
strong and hooked bill and robust form resemble
more a bird of prey than one of the Gallinw, The
capercailzie was certainly the noblest of the British
feathered game, but the attributes of strength, size, and
beauty, have proved his destruction, and they have
been for many years extinct. In ancient times they
were tolerably abundant in the primeval forests of
Scotland and Ireland. From the latter they appear
to have been entirely extirpated at a very early pe-
riod; while in Scotland the destruction was more
gradual, but they dwindled away, and the last spe-
cimen is recorded from fifty to sixty years since to
have been killed in the neighbourhood of Inverness.
There is, however, a prospect of the species being
again introduced to the Scottish forests, and the fol-
lowing interesting account of the attempts which

110 ‘THE WoOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.

have been made at Mar Lodge, and of the habits of
the female and young, will be read with interest.

“T was wading down the Dee one fine afternoon,
a little below Mar Lodge, and with a lighter pannier
than usual, when I heard the ery of a bird to which I
was unaccustomed, and my bad success in that day's
angling, induced me the more readily to diverge
from the ‘pure element of waters,’ to ascertain what
this might be. I made my way through the over-
hanging wood for a few hundred yards, and soon af-
ter reaching the road, which runs parallel with the
river on its right side, I observed a wooden palisade,
or enclosure, on the sloping bank above me. On
reaching it, I found it so closely boarded up, that I
had for a time some difficulty in descrying any in-
mates, but my eye soon fell upon a magnificent bird,
which at first, from its bold and almost fierce ex-
pression of countenance, I took rather for some great
bird of prey than fora Capercailzie. A few seconds,
however, satisfied me, that it was, what I had never
before seen, a fine living example of that noble bird,
I now sought the company of Mr Donald Mackenzie,
Lord Fyfe’s gamekeeper, the occupant of the neigh-
bouring cottage. He unlocked the door of the for-
tress, and introduced me to a more familiar acquain-
tance with its feathered inhabitants. These I found
to consist of two fine capercailzie cocks and one hen,
and the latter, I was delighted to perceive, accom-
panied by a thriving family of young birds, active
and beautiful.

THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE. I11

* The first importation of these capercailzies ar-
rived from Sweden about the end of the year 1827,
or early in January 1828. It consisted of a cock
and hen, but the hen unfortunately died after reach-
ing Moutrose Bay. As the male bird alone arrived
at Braemar, the experiment was judiciously tried of
putting a common barn-door fowl into his apartment
during the spring and summer of 1828. The result
was, that she laid several eggs, which were placed
under other hens, but from these eggs only a single
bird was hatched, and when it was first observed it
was found lying dead. It was, however, an evident
mule, or hybrid, and shewed such unequivocal marks
of the capercailzie character as could not be mistaken.

* The second importation likewise consisted of a
cock and hen, and arrived safely in this country in
January or February 1829. The female began to
lay in the ensuing April, and laying in general an
egg every alternate day, she eventually deposited
about a couple of dozen. She shewed, however, so
strong a disposition to break and eat them, that she
required to be narrowly watched at the time of lay-
ing, for the purpose of having them removed, for
otherwise she would have destroyed the whole. In
fact, she did succeed in breaking most of them, but
eight wete obtained uninjured. These were set
under a common hen, but only one bird was hatched,
and it died soon after. In the spring of 1830, the
hen capereailzie laid eighteggs. Of these she broke
only one, and, settling in a motherly manner on the

112 THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.

other seven, she sat steadily for five weeks. On
examining the eggs, however, they were all found
to be addle.

“ Inthe early part of 1831, three apartments were
ingeniously formed adjoining one another. The
hen was placed in the central chamber, between
which and the enclosure on either side, each of which
contained a male, there was an easy communication ;
so contrived however, that the female could have ac-
cess to both the males, whilst they, from their greater
size, could neither approach each other, nor disturb
the female as long as she chose to remain in her own
apartment. In May and June of that year she laid
twelve eggs, seven of which were set under a com-
mon hen. Of these, four were hatched in an appa-
rently healthy state, one was addle, and the other
two contained dead birds. Of those left with the ca-
percailzie hen, she broke one, and sat upon the other
four, of which two were hatched, and the other two
were found to contain dead birds. Of the two
hatched one soon died. Both the barn-door hen
and the female capercailzie sat twenty-nine days,
from the time the laying was completed till the young
were hatched ; and Mr Cumming calls my attention
to the fact, that there were birds in all the eggs of
this year's laying except one.

“ My visit to Braemar took place about the first
week of last August. I think all the five young
were then alive, and although only a few weeks old,
they were by that time larger than the largest moor-

THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE. 113

game. I had no opportunity of handling them, or
of examining them very minutely, but the general
view which I had of them, at the distance of a few
feet, did not enable me to distinguish the difference
between the young males and females. They seemed
precisely the same at that time both in size and plu-
mage, although 1 doubt not the male markings must
have soon shewn themselves on the young cocks.
The single surviving bird of those hatched by the
mother died of an accident, after living in a very
healthy state for several weeks. Two of those
hatched by the common hen died of some disease,
the nature of which is not known, after lingering for
a considerable time. It follows that there are only
two young birds remaining. These are both fe-
males, and when I Jast heard of them some months
ago, were in a thriving condition.

“ The whole progeny were fed at first, and for
some time, with young ants,—that is, with those
whitish grain-shaped bodies, which are the larve and
crysalids in their cocoons of these industrious crea-
tures, though commonly called ant's eggs. At that
period they were also occasionally supplied with
some tender grass, cut very short. As soon as they
had acquired some strength, they began to eat oats
and pot barley, together with grass and the various
kinds of moss. They are now fed like the three
old birds, chiefly on grain and heather tops, with the
young shoots, and other tender portions of the Scotch

fir. I am informed that the distinction between the
VOL. IV. i

114 THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.

sexes had become very obvious before the death of
the young males. The plumage of the latter was
much darker, their general dimensions were greater,
their bills larger and more hooked. These characters
became very apparent during November and Decem-
ber.

“ The old males have never yet had access to the
young birds, so that it has not been ascertained whe-
ther they entertain any natural regard for their off-
spring, or would manifest any enmity towards them.
From the continued wildness of the old birds, espe-
cially the males, it was found difficult to weigh them,
without incurring the risk of injuring their plumage.
However, the male which arrived in 1829, and which
then appeared to be a bird of the previous year, was
lately weighed, and was found to be eleven pounds
nine ounces avoirdupois. Judging from appearances,
it is believed that the weight of the old hen would
not much exceed one half. There is, indeed, a
striking disparity in the dimensions of the sexes in
this species.

«« The intention is, as soon as some healthy broods
have been reared in confinement, to liberate a few in
the old pine woods of Braemar, and thus eventually
to stock with the finest of feathered game the noblest
of Scottish forests,” *

In addition to the forests of the north of Britain,
the wood-grouse inhabits those of the continent of Eu-
rope, and is indeed more abundant there than ever it

* James Wilson, in Jameson’s Journal for July 1832.

THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE. 115

could have been in this country. It also seems to
extend to several districts of Northern Asia. It is
perhaps most abundant in some parts of Russia, Nor-
way, and Sweden, and it is from thence that an annual
supply of this and another bird, the Tetrao medius,
18 furnished to the London markets. In these coun-
tries they frequent the deep and far-spreading forests
of pine, feeding on the young shoots and cones, the
catkins of the birch, and berries of the juniper which
form the underwood. They are polygamous, and at
the commencement of incubation, the male places
himself conspicuously, and attracts the female by
his loud cries, “ resembling Peller, peller, peller, and
various attitudes. On hearing the call of the cock,
the hens, whose cry in some degree resembles the
croak of the raven, or rather, perhaps, the sounds
Gock-gock, gock, assemble from all parts of the sur-
rounding forest. ‘The male bird now descends, from
the eminence on which he was perched, to the
groun«, where he and his female friends join com-
pany.’ * When the females really commence incuba-
tion, they are forsaken, the males skulking among
the brushwood and renewing their plumage, while she
attends to the hatching and rearing of her progeny.

The male is nearly three feet in length, and gains
a weight of sometimes fifteen pounds. The feathers
of the head and cheeks are elongated, and during his
displays of courtship, the former are raised, and those
on the cheeks brought forward. The back of the

* From Lloyd's Northern Field Sports,

116 THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.

neck, back and sides, are, when minutely observed,
delicately varied with brown, grey, and black. The
lower part of the breast and belly are black, gene-
rally interspersed with a few white feathers, and the
forepart of the breast is of a rich glossy green, the
feathers thick and compact, and when seen in some
lights, emit a very brilliant lustre of golden green
and blue, whence the old appellation of “ peacock
of the woods.” The female is considerably less,
bearing even more disproportion in size than many
of the others ; the coluurs of the plumage disposed
in crescent markings of black upon a ground of rich
brown. For the first autumn, the young males are ‘
nearly similar to the females, the brown tint being
rather deeper; but before the ensuing spring, they
receive the greater part of their adult plumage.

The wood grouse is extremely shy, and in Ger-
many be is reckoned an excellent hunter who can
say that he has kil'ed twenty or thirty males. Tem-
minck mentions one person particularly celebrated,
who bad shot fifty. They can only be approached
during the time when the male calls the hens around
him, and even the greatest delicacy and caution of
approach is necessary. They are reckoned royal
game, and the female is prohibited, under a severe
penalty, to be shot.* The great numbers, however,
of indiscriminate sexes which are brought to Lon-
don, shew that this prohibition is not everywhere
attended to, and that the approach of the males is

* Temminck.

THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE, 117

also not so difficult. Neither is the season attended
to, for in Norway particularly, the female is some-
times shot from her nest.

In addition to what has been given of the habits
of this noble bird, it will be interesting to insert the
following from Lloyd's “ Northern Field Sports.”

“ The capercailzie is often domesticated in Swe-
den ; indeed, at both Uddeholm and Risater, as well
as in other places, I have known these birds to be
kept for a long period in aviaries built for the pur-
pose. These were so perfectly tame as to feed out
of the hand. Their food principally consisted of oats
and of the leaves of the Scotch fir, large branches of
which were usually introduced into their cages once
or more in the course of the week. They were also
supplied with abundance of native berries, when pro-
curable. They were amply provided at all times
with water and sand: the latter of which was of a
rather coarse quality, and both were changed pretty
frequently.

“In farther corroboration of the fact, that the ca-
pereailzie will breed when in confinement, I make
the following quotation from Mr Nilsson’s work.
That gentleman's authority was the Ofwer Director
af Uhr ; and the birds alluded to were at a forge in
the province of Dalecarlia. ;

“* They were kept together during the winter in
a large loft over a barn, and were fed with corn, and
got occasionally a change of fresh spruce, fir, pine,
and juniper sprigs. Early in the spring, they were

118 THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.

let out into an inclosure near the house, protected
by a high and close fence, in which were several
firs and pines, the common trees of the place. In
this inclosure they were never disturbed ; and du-
ring the sitting season no one approached, except
the person who laid in the meat, which at that time
consisted of barley, besides fresh sprigs of the kinds
before mentioned. It is an indispensable rule that
they shall have full liberty, and remain entirely an-
disturbed, if the hens are to sit and hatch their young.
As soon as this had occurred, and the brood were
out, they were removed to the yard, which was also
roomy, and so closely fenced that the young ones
could not escape through; and within this fence
were hedges and a number of bushes planted. Of
the old ones, one of the wings was always clipped,
to prevent their flying. I have seen several times
such broods both of black game and capercailzie,
eight to twelve young ones belonging to each hen.
They were so tame, that, like our common hens,
they would run forward when corn was thrown to
them. They should always have a good supply of
sand and fresh water.’

* According to Mr Nilsson, ‘ when the caper-
eailzie is reared from the time of being a chicken, he
frequently becomes as tame as a domestic fowl, and
may be safely left by himself. He however seldom
loses his natural boldness ; and, like the turkey cock,
will often fly at and peck people. He never becomes
so tame and familiar as the black cock.

THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE. 119

“ «Even in his wild state, the capercailzie fre-
quently forgets his inherent shyness, and will attack
people when approaching his place of resort. Mr
Adlerberg mentions such an occurrence. During a
number of years, an old capercailzie cock had been
in the habit of frequenting the estate of Villinge at
Wermdié, who, as often as he heard the voice of
people in the adjoining wood, had the boldness to
station himself on the ground, and during a continual
flapping of his wings, pecked at the legs and feet of
those that disturbed his domain.

“ ¢ Mr Brehm, also, mentions in his Appendix,
page 626, a capercailzie cock that frequented a wood
a mile distant from Renthendorf, in which was a
path or roadway. ‘This bird, so soon as it perceived
any person approach, would fly towards him, peck
at his legs, and rap him with its wings, and was with
much difficulty driven away.’

* At the period of the year of which I am now
speaking, I usually shot the capercailzie in company
with my Lapland dog, Branette, (a cocker,) of which
I have already made mention. She commonly flush-
ed them from the ground, where, for the purpose of
feeding upon berries, &c. they are much during the
autumnal months. In this case, if they saw only
the dog, their flight in general was short, and they
soon perched in the trees. Here, as Brunette had
the eye of an eagle and the foot of an antelope, she
was not long in following them. Sometimes, how-

120 THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.

ever, those birds were in the pines in the first in-
stance ; but, as my dog was possessed of an extra-
ordinarily fine sense of smelling, she would often
wind, or, in other words, scent them from a very
long distance.

‘When she found the capercailzie, she would sta-
tion herself under the tree where they were sitting,
and, by keeping up an incessant barking, direet my
steps towards the spot. I now advanced with silence
and caution ; and as it frequently happened that the
attention of the bird was mach taken up with ob-
serving the dog, I was enabled to approach until it
was within the range of my rifle, or even of my com-
mon gun.

“In the forest, the capercailzie does not always
present an easy mark ; for, dipping down from the
pines nearly to the ground, as is frequently the case,
they are often almost out of distance before one can
properly take aim, No. | or 2 shot may answer
very wel}, at short range, to kill the hens; but for
the cocks, the sportsman should be provided with
much larger.

“ Towards the commencement of, and during the
continuance of the winter, the capercailzies are gene-
rally in packs; these, which are usually composed
wholly of cocks, (the hens keeping apart,) do not se-
parate until the approach of spring. These packs,
which are sometimes said to contain fifty or a hun-
dred birds, usually hold to the sides of the numerous

THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE. 121

lakes and morasses with which the northern forests
abound; and to stalk the same in the winter-time
with a good rifle is no ignoble amusement.

“ Among other expedients resorted to in the
northern forests, for the destruction of the capercailzie,
is the following :—During the autumnal months, af-
ter flushing and dispersing the brood, people place
themselves in ambush, and imitate the ery of the old
or young birds, as circumstances may require. By
thus attracting them to the spot, they are often en-
abled to shoot the whole brood in succession. The
manner in which this is practised may be better un-
derstood from what Mr Greiff says on the subject.

* « After the brood has been dispersed, and you
see the growth they have acquired, the dogs are to
be bound up, and a hut formed precisely on the spot
where the birds were driven from, in which you
place yourself to call ; and you adapt your call ac-
cording to the greater or less size of your young
birds. When they areas large as the hen, you ought
not to begin to call until an hour after they have
been flushed ; should you wish to take them alive,
the common net is placed round him who calls. To-
wards the quarter the hen flies, there are seldom to
be found any of the young birds, for she tries by her
cackling to draw the dogs after her, and from her
young ones. As long as you wish to shoot, you
must not go out of your hut to collect the birds you
have shot. When the hen answers the call, or lows
like a cow, she has either got a young one with her,

VOL. IV. M

122 THE WOOD GROUSE OR CAPERCAILZIE.

or the calling is incorrect; or else she has been
frightened, and will not then quit her place. A
young hen answers more readily to the call than an
old one.’

‘In other instances, the capercailzie is shot in the
night-time, by torch-light. This plan, which is said
to be very destructive, is, I believe, confined to the
southern provinces of Sweden, for in the more
northern parts of that country I never heard of its
being adopted.

“In Smaland and Ostergothland, this is said to
be effected in the following manner:—Towards night-
fall, people watch the last flight of the capercailzie
before they go to roost. The direction they have
taken into the forest is ‘then carefully marked, by
means of a prostrate tree, or by one which is felled
especially for the purpose. After dark, two men
start in pursuit of the birds: one of them is provided
with a gun, the other with a long pole, to either end
of which a flambeau is attached. The man with the
flambeau now goes in advance, the other remaining
at the prostrate tree, to keep it, and the two lights
in an exact line with each other; by this curious con-
trivance they cannot well go astray in the forest.
Thus they proceed, occasionally halting, and taking
a fresh mark, until they come near to the spot where
they may have reason to suppose the birds are roost-
ing. They now carefully examine the trees; and
when they discover the objects of their pursuit, which
are said stupidly to remain gazing at the fire blazing

DUSKY GROUSE. 123

heneath, they shoot them at their leisure. Should
there be several capercailzies in the same tree, how-
ever, it is always necessary to shoot those in the
lower branches in the first instance; for, unless one
of these birds falls on its companions, it is said the
rest will never move, and, in consequence, the whole
of them may be readily killed.”

‘There is another fine European grouse, somewhat
allied to the capercailzie, Tetrao medius of Meyer ;
the Rakkelhan of the Germans. It is chiefly found
in the north of Russia, Sweden, and Courland. In
size it is scarcely inferior to the first, being, accord-
ing to Temminck, two feet three, four, and five inches
in length. The same author describes this bird as
having also lengthened plames upon the head and
throat, which are raised during the ‘love-season, or
upon any irritation. The head, neck, and breast are
rich black, with purple and bronzed reflections. 'The
back and rump are black, but the feathers are termi-
nated with a violet reflection, and each is marked with
minute pale dotings. The belly is black, with some
dashes of white on the centre. The scapulars and
lesser wing-coverts are deep brown, marked with
delicate yellowish irregular waves. ‘The secondaries
are white from their base for half their length, then
brownish-black, and terminated with a tip of white.
The tail very slightly forked, and upper coverts are
black, the under coverts tipped with white. The
female has nearly the same distribution of the plum-
age with the former speciés. Both species extend

124 DUSKY GROUSE.

into Asia, but are entirely different from any of the
species on the American continent, which we shall
next notice.

The first of the American birds coming nearest in
size and form to those we have been just describing,
is the Dusky Grouse, Tetrao obscurus of Say, which
was first noticed to science by that gentleman in his
description of the various productions, the reward of
the expedition to the Rocky Mountains. Bonaparte
figured his specimen a female; and in this country
two beautiful representations of both sexes appeared
in the Northern Zoology. It is known to inhabit
the Rocky Mountains from latitude 40° to 64°. In
length it is about two feet: and the plumage exhi-
bits the beautiful glossy tints of the others, mixed
with grey and white.

The next of the American grouse which we have
to notice is

125

THE CANADIAN GROUSE.
Tetrao Canadensis.— Linn 2vs.
PLATE XV."

Tetrao Canadensis, Bonaparte’s Continuation.—Variety,
North. Zool. ii. pl. 61.

Tue figure of this species is taken from a speci-
men in the Edinburgh Museum, and from the dis-
tribution of the colouring, strongly resembles the
markings of the variety dedicated to Captain Frank-
lin as distinct. Among several of the lesser grouse,
there is a certain variety in the tints and distribution
of the plumage ; and daring the breeding season, and
at the different ages, these become very different in-
deed. On these accounts, we do not consider that
sufficiently distinctive marks have yet been assigned
to the birds which have been designated 7’. Cana-
densis and F’ranklinit.

The entire length is about seventeen inches. It
is common in Hudson's Bay through the whole year.
It inhabits Canada in winter, and abounds on the
Rocky Mountains. “ The favourite haunts of the
spotted or Canada Grouse,” writes Bonaparte, “ are
pine woods and dark cedar swamps, in winter re-
sorting to the deep forests of spruce, to feed on the
tops and leaves of these evergreens, as well as on
the seeds contained in their cones, and upon juniper
berries. Hence their flesh, though at all times good,

* This Plate comes before Plate XIV. which faces p. 127.

126 THE CANADIAN GROUSE.

is much better in summer, as in winter it has a strong
flavour of spruce. At Hudson's Bay, where they
are called indifferently Wood or Spruce Partridge,
they are seen throughout the year. Like other
grouse, they build on the ground, having perhaps
fewer eggs; these are varied with white, yellow and
black. ‘They are easily approached, lieing unsuspi-
cious, by no means so shy as the common ruffed
grouse, and are killed or trapped in numbers, with-
out much artifice being necessary for this purpose.
When much disturbed, like their kindred species,
they are apt to resort to trees, where, by using the
precaution of always shooting the lowest, the whole
of the terrified flock may be brought down to the
last bird.” Mr Douglas says that they (the var.
Franklinii) ave the most common birds in the yal-
Jeys of the Rocky Mountains from 50° to 60°, and
that some small troops are found in the higher moun-
tains, which form the base of the snowy peaks. The
alarm-note is two or three hollow sounds, ending in
a yearning disagreeable grating note, like the latter
part of the call of the Guinea fowl. The male is
represented on the accompanying plate ; the female
is smaller, more varied, with Jess of black, and more
of dusky; the upper parts are confusedly mottled
with dull rusty orange and grey. The sides of the
head, throat, and all the neck below, are dull rusty
brown, each feather varied with black ; on the lower
part of the breast the black bands are broad and very
deep, alternating equally with rusty orange.
Our next bird is—

ee

127

THE RUFFED GROUSE.
Tetrao umbelius.—LInn £Us,
PLATE XIV.

Tetraoumbellus, Linne@us.— Northern Zool—Rutted Heath-
cock, Edwards.—Bonasia umbellus, Bonaparte,—Ruffed
Grouse, Wilson, Audubon,

Tats curious and beautiful grouse is found from
the 56 parallel to the Gulf of Mexico. It is com-
mon in Pennsylvania and the United States, and
very abundant in the Kentucky and Indiana territory,
and it was found on the banks of the Saskatche-
wan by the Northern expedition, frequenting the
horse-paths and cleared spaces about the forts. The
following account of the manners of this bird, given
by Alexander Wilson, will be acceptable -—

* The manners of the pheasant are solitary ; they
are seldom found in coveys of more than four or five
together, and moreusually in pairs, or singly. They
leave their sequestered haunts in the woods early in
the morning, and seek the path or road, to pick up
gravel, and glean among the droppings of the horses.
In travelling among the mountains that bound the
Susquehanna, I was always able to furnish myself
with an abundant supply of these birds every morn-

128 THE RUFFED GROUSE.

ing without leaving the path. If the weather be
foggy, or lowering, they are sure to be seen in such
situations. They generally move along with great
stateliness, their broad fan-like tail spread out in
the manner exhibited in the drawing. The drum-
ming, as it is usually called, of the pheasant, is an-
other singularity of this species. This is performed
by the male alone. In walking through solitary
woods, frequented by these birds, a stranger is sur-
prised by suddenly hearing a kind of thumping very
similar to that produced by striking two full-blown
ox-bladders together, but much louder; the strokes
at first are slow and distinct, but gradually increase
in rapidity, till they run into each other, resembling
the rumbling sound of very distant thunder, dying
away gradually on the ear, After a few minutes’
pause, this is aguin repeated, and, in a calm day,
may be heard nearly half a mile off. This drumming
is most common in spring, and is the call of the cock
to his favourite female, It is produced in the fol-
lowing manner :—The bird, standing on an old pros-
trate log, generally in a retired and sheltered situa-
tion, lowers his wings, erects his expanded tail, con-
tracts his throat, elevates the two tufts of feathers
on the neck, and inflates his whole body, something
in the manner of the turkey cock, stratting and
wheeling about with great stateliness, After a few
maneeuvres of this kind, he begins to strike with his
stiffened wings in short and quick strokes, which be-
come more and more rapid until they run into each

THE RUFFED GROUSE. 129

other, as has been already described. This is most
common in the morning and evening, though I have
heard them drumming at all hours of the day. By
means of this, the gunner is led to the place of his
retreat; though, to those unacquainted with the
sound, there is great deception in the supposed dis-
tance, it generally appearing to be much nearer than
it really is.”

The Prince of Musignano has formed a new genus
for the reception of this bird, under the title Bonasia.
The principal distinctions are the unplumed tarsi,
contrasted with Teirao and Lagopus. It is also re-
markable for the tufts of feathers springing from each
side of the neck, twenty-nine or thirty in number,
of adeep rich black. These it can raise at pleasure,
and uncover two bare patches of naked-looking skin,
which during the drumming noise are distended and
as it were blown up. The length of the bird is
about 18 inches, and the whole plumage is a beauti-
ful mixture of brown chestnut and grey, relieved by
the black tufts upon the neck, and a broad band of
the same colour at the extremity of the tail. The
female, according to Audubon, is generally of a
lighter colour than the male; the ruff, though pre-
sent, being smaller and of a duller black. The nest
is made by the side of a prostrate tree or at the foot
of a low bush, composed of dried leaves and herba-
ceous plants. From five to twelve eggs are laid,
which are of a uniform dull yellowish colour.

In America this bird is termed the pheasant, and
VOL, IV N

130 THE PINNATED GROUSE:

is one of the best game of the country, only excelled
by the pinnated grouse, which we shall immediately
notice. In winter and fall many hundreds are
brought to the markets, and in Philadelphia, in
Wilson's time, they sold at from three quarters of a
dollar to a dollar and a quarter per pair.

THE PINNATED GROUSE.
Tetrao cupido,—Linx £U8.

Attagan Americana, Brisson.—Tetrao Cupido, Bonaparte,
Synop.—Pinnated Heathcock, Stephens,

Tuts curious bird resembles the last in having
tufts to the sides of the neck, the form of the fea-
thers narrower and almost 3 inches in Jength. It
frequents the dry open plains, studded with trees or
interspersed with patches of brushwood. New Jer-
sey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana territory, and
the plains on the Columbia, are all recorded by Wil-
son as the favourite resorts for this grouse. In the
cultivated and populous districts, it is, however, ra-
pidly decreasing, and though laws were enacted for
the preservation of the heath hens, they flee before
the settlers, and are certain ere long to be extirpat-
ed from grounds where they formerly abounded.
The pinnated grouse is as large as the last. The
general colour of the plamage is yellowish-red, with
bars and crossings of black, in distribution much

THE PINNATED GROUSE. 131

similar to the colours and markings of the European
grey hen. The remarkable parts of its adornment
are the neck tufts, or, as Wilson terms them, supple-
mental wings, composed of about eighteen narrow
feathers, the largest of which are 5 inches long, and
black. Under each of these are two loose, pendu-
lous, and wrinkled skins, extending along the side of
the neck for two-thirds of its length, each of which,
when inflated with air, resembles in bulk, colour, and
surface, a middle-sized orange. The female is con-
siderably less, and wants the neck tufts and naked
skin. *

It is during the season of spring that the skins on
the sides of the neck become most conspicuous.
An interesting account of their manners at thisseason,
is given in a letter from Mr Mitchell, New York, to
Wilson.

** The season for pairing is in March, and the
breeding time is continued through April and
May. ‘Then the male grouse distinguishes him-
self by a peculiar sound. When he utters it, the
parts about the throat are sensibly inflated and
swelled. It may be heard on a still morning for
three or four miles ; some say they have perceived it
as far as five or six. This noise is a sort of ventri-
loquism. It does not strike the ear of a bystander
with much force, but impresses him with the idea,
though produced within a few rods of him, of a voice
a mile or two distant. This note is highly charac-

* Alexander Wilson.

132 THE PINNATED GROUSE.

teristic. Though very peculiar, it is termed footing,
from its resemblance to the blowing of a conch or
horn from a remote quarter. The female makes her
nest on the ground, in recesses very rarely discover-
ed by men. She usually lays from ten to twelve
eggs. Their colour is of a brownish, much resem-
bling those of a guinea hen. When hatched, the
brood is protected by her alone. Surrounded by
her young, the mother bird exceedingly resembles a
domestic hen and chickens. She frequently leads
them to feed in the roads crossing the woods, on
the remains of maize and oats contained in the dung
dropped by the travelling horses. In that employ-
ment they are often surprised by the passengers.
On such occasions the dam utters a cry of alarm.
The little ones immediately scamper to the brush ;
and while they are skulking into places of safety,
their anxious parent beguiles the spectator by droop-
ing and fluttering her wings, limping along the path,
rolling over in the dirt, and other pretences of ina-
bility to walk or fly.

“ During the period of mating, and while the
females are occupied in incubation, the males have
a practice of assembling, principally by themselves.
To some select and central spot, where there is
very little underwood, they repair from the ad-
joining district. From the exercises performed
there, this is called a scratching place. The time of
meeting is the break of day. As soon as the light
appears, the company assembles from every side,

THE PINNATED GROUSE. 133

sometimes to the number of forty or fifty. When
the dawn is past, the ceremony begins by alow toot-
ing from one of the cocks. This is answered by
another. They then come forth one by one from
the bushes, and strut about with all the pride and
ostentation they can display. Their necks are in-
curvated; the feathers on them are erected into a
sort of ruff; the plumes of their tails are expanded
like fans; they strut about in a style resembling, as
nearly as small may be illustrated by great, the pomp
of the Turkey Cock. They seem to vie with each
other in stateliness; and, as they pass each other,
frequently cast looks of insult, and utter notes of de-
fiance. These are the signals for battles. They
engage with wonderful spirit and fierceness. During
these contests they leap a foot or two from the
ground, and utter a cackling, screaming, and dis-
cordant ery.

“ They have been found in these places of resort
even earlier than the appearance of light in the East.
This fact has led to the belief that a part of them
assemble over night. The rest join them in the
morning. This leads to the farther belief that they
roost on the ground. And the opinion is confirmed
by the discovery of little rings of dung, apparently
deposited by a flock which had passed the night to-
gether. After the appearance of the sun they dis-
perse.

“* These places of exhibition have been often dis-
covered by the hunters ; and a fatal discovery it has

134 THE PINNATED GROUSE.

been for the poor Grouse. Their destroyers con-
struct for themselves lurking holes made of pine
branches, called ough houses, within a few yards of
the parade. Hither they repair with their fowling-
pieces, in the latter part of the night, and wait the
appearance of the birds. Watching the moment
when two are proudly eyeing each other, or engaged
in battle, or when a greater number can be seen in
a range, they pour on them a destructive charge of
shot. ‘This annoyance has been given in so many
places, and to such extent, that the Grouse, after
having been repeatedly disturbed, are afraid to as-
semble. Onapproaching the spot to which their in-
stinct prompts them, they perch on the neighbour-
ing trees, instead of alighting at the scratching place.
And it remains to be observed, how far the restless
and tormenting spirit of the marksmen may alter
the native habits of the Grouse, and oblige them to
betake themselves to new ways of life.

“They commonly keep together in coveys, or
packs, as the phrase is, until the pairing season. A
full pack consists, of course, of ten oradozen. Two
packs have been known to associate. I lately heard
of one whose number amounted to twenty-two.
They are so unapt to be startled, that a hunter, as-
sisted by a dog, has been able to shoot almost a
whole pack, without making any of them take wing.
In like manner, the men lying in concealment near
the scratching places have been known to discharge
several guns before either the report of the explosion,

THE PINNATED GROUSE. 195

or the sight of their wounded and dead fellows,
would rouse them to flight. It has farther been re-
marked, that when a company of sportsmen have
surrounded a pack of Grouse, the birds seldom or
never rise upon their pinions while they are en-
circled; but each runs along until it passes the per-
son that is nearest it, and then flutters off with the
utmost expedition.”

136

THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.
Centrocercus phasianellus—Sw a1nson.
PLATE XVL*

Tetrao phasianellus, Buonaparte’s Continuation of Wilson.
—Long-Tailed Grouse, Edwards.—Sharp-Tailed Grouse,
Pennant.—Centrocercus phasianellus, Northern Zoo-

logy.

Tue two following specimens are remarkable for
the elongated form of the tail, and have been placed
by Mr Swainson, as the scantorial forms of the fa-
mily, particularly the next bird, where the feathers
are rigid and sharp pointed, and almost bare at the
tips. ‘The present bird, though previously hinted
at by several authors, appears never to have been
authentically known or described, until after the re-
turn of Say from the Rocky Mountain expedition ;
but the best description is given by Bonaparte in
his continuation, who has also figured the female.

It is common in the southern parts of the Hud-
son Bay settlements. According to the Northern
Zoology, the most northern limit is the Great Slave
Lake, 65° parallel, and its most southern recorded
station, 41° on the Missouri. It abounds on the out-

* The generic name upon the Plate was engraved by mis-
take,

THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 137

skirts of the Saskatchewan plains, and is found
throughout the woody districts of the fur countries,
haunting open glades and low thickets on the borders
of lakes *.

Buonaparte thus details their manners. “ The
Sharp-tailed Grouse is remarkably shy, living solitary,
or by pairs during summer, and not associating in
packs till autumn; remaining thus throughout the
winter. They, of choice, inhabit what are called
the juniper plains, keeping among the small juni-
per bushes, which constitute their food. They are’
usually seen on the ground, but when disturbed
fly to the highest trees. Their food in summer is
composed of berries, the various sorts of which they
eagerly seek: in winter they are confined to the
buds and tops of evergreens, or of birch and elder,
but especially poplar, of which they are very fond.
They are more easily approached in autumn than
when they inhabit large forests, as they then keep
alighting on the tops of the tallest poplars, beyond
the reach of an ordinary gun, When disturbed in
that position, they are apt to hide themselves in the
snow; but Hearne informs us, that the hunter's
chance is not the better for that, for so rapidly do
they make their way beneath the surface, that they
often suddenly take wing several yards from the spot
where they entered, and almost always in a different
direction from that which is expected.

“ Like the rest of its kind, the sharp-tailed grouse

* Northern Zoology.
VOL. IV. o

-

138 THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.

breeds on the ground, near some brushwood, making

a loose nest of grass, and lining it with feathers.
Here the female lays from nine to thirteen eggs,
which are white, spotted with blackish. The young
are hatched about the middle of June ; they utter a
piping noise, somewhat like chickens. Attempts
have been repeatedly made to domesticate them, but
have as constantly failed, all the young, though care-
fully nursed by their step-mother, the common hen,
dying one after another, probably for want of suit-
able food. This species has several cries: the cock
has a shrill crowing note, rather feeble; and both
sexes, when disturbed, or whilst on the wing, repeat
frequently the cry of cack, cack. This well known
sound conducts the hunter to their hiding place, and
they are also detected by producing with their small,
lateral, rigid tail-feathers, a curious noise, resembling -
that made by a winnowing fan. When in good or-
der, one of these grouse will weigh upwards of two
pounds, being very plump. Their flesh is of a light
brown colour, and very compact, though, at the same
time, exceedingly juicy and well tasted, being far
superior in this respect to the common ruffed, and
approaching in excellence the delicious pinnated
grouse.

The adult male is about sixteen inches in length.
The general colour a mixture of white, different
shades of dark and light chestnut, on a rather deep
and glossy blackish ground. The tail is composed
of eighteen feathers, the centre ones, according to

Binaagictéy eicieatinag’ thy cthest ‘oaly-by ax at

Between the sexes there is almost no difference in

plumage ; the female is merely less —_ and glossy,

the size is however somewhat less.
* Bonaparte.

140

THE COCK OF THE PLAINS.
Centrocercus urophasianus—Swatnson.
PLATE XVII.

Cock of the Plains, Lewis and Clark.—Tetrao urophasianus,
Bonaparte, Continuation, p\.xxi—Pheasant-tailed grouse,
Wilson, Iilust. af Zool. pls. xxvi.'and xxvii.—Centrocercus
urophasianus, Worth, Zool. ii. p. 353.

Tuts splendid bird is the largest of the American
grouse ; and, as far as beauty, size, and rarity are
concerned, bears the same rank in the American
Fauna with the wood-grouse or cock of the wood of
Europe. He is equally sought after by the hunts-
man, and is even now as difficult to procure as that
we have just compared him to. But the form and
habits are quite distinct. In our once native bird the
form is remarkably powerful, the tail rounded and
very ample, the habitation, the most extensive fo-
rests, delighting to perch on the highest trees. The
bird of America inhabits only the uncovered plains,
never perches, and the form of the tail is lengthen-
ed, the feathers narrowing to a point. This acquisi-
tion to the grouse was first noticed in the expedi-
tion of Lewis and Clark, who met with it near the
fountain of the Missouri, in the heart of the Rocky

T-—~

THE COCK OF THE PLAINS. 143

about the size of a common fowl, of a wood-brown
colour, with irregular chocolate blotches on the thick
end. Period of incubation from twenty-one to twenty-
two days. The young leave the nest a few hours
after they are hatched.” “ In summer and autumn
months these birds are seen in small troops, and in
winter and spring in flocks of several hundreds.
Plentiful throughout the barren, arid plains of the
river Columbia; also in the interior of North Califor-
nia. They do not exist on the banks of the river
Missouri; nor have they been seen in any place east
of the Rocky Mountains.”

144

GROUSE-PTARMIGAN.

WE now come to that section of the Grouse to
which the Red Grouse and Ptarmigan belong. They
have been separated from the others under the title
of Lagopus—Grouse-Ptarmigan. They are even of
a more solitary nature than the others, inhabiting the
wildest muirs or most barren alpine ranges. ‘The
principal generic distinction is the entirely clothed
feet and legs, covered with a rather rigid hair than
feathers, and the want of the scaling upon the sides
of the toes; the hind toe short, and the claws long
and of a particular flat triangularly pointed form in
the more alpine birds, to assist in digging or bur-
rowing under the snow. Five species only are known,
natives of North Americaand Europe. Great Britain
possesses three, one of which is not known out of
the British Isles. It is the first we shall notice—

’

a F

=

bath

ROT

FLAT I

scoTImcts

orus

.

LAG

THE RED GROUSE.

Lagopus Scoticus.—Leacu.
PLATE XVIII.

Red Grouse, Muirfow] of British Ornithologists.—Tetrao
Scoticus, Auctorum.—Lagopus Scoticus, Leach.

Tue Muirfowl, the delight of the sportsman, may
be placed at the head of the sports of the fowler; it
is to him what the fox is to the hunter, the salmon to
the fisher. The light air of the early morning of a
fine éwelfth, and the free and open almost unbound-
ed prospect, exhilarate the spirits; while the boldness
of the game upon discovery, erectly uttering his ery
of warning to his brood,—his vigorous lengthened
flight, so long as to create doubts of his being agatm
seen,—carry with them a continuation of excitement,
long after it is satiated with following the skulking-
black game, or the more rural amusement of walk--
ing up partridges. But independent of this claim,
upon the sportsman, it has another: the red grouse-
is exclusively confined to the British Islands, and’
has never been found on any part of the Continent,
and it would be much to be regretted if unlimited!
persecution or want of preservation should im after
years exterminate this bird, so exclusively nationz

VOL. IV. P

146 THE RED GROUSE.

It is well known that on all the more southern muirs,
not a tenth of the former number of birds at present
exist; * and it is only in the more remote districts,
where access and accommodation for sportsmen are
in some degree wanting, that they are to be seen in
any thing like their former numbers,

The red grouse is plentiful still in Scotland and
Ireland, now more sparingly spread over the southern
districts of the former, and upon the wilder muirs of
England. ‘There also the habits of the birds have
cousiderably changed. By the approaches of culti-
vation to the higher districts, and in insulated patches
of grain even in the middle of the wildest, the grouse
have learned to depend on the labours of the husband-
man for his winter's food, and instead of seeking a
more precarious subsistence during the snow, of ten-
der heath-tops or other mountain plants, they migrate
to the lower grounds and enclosures, and before
the grain is removed, finda plentiful harvest. Hun-
dreds crowd the stooks in the upland corn-fields
where the weather is uncertain, and the grain remains
out even till December snows; while in the lower
countries they seek what has been left on the stubble
or ploughed fields. It is only in the wildest parts of
the Highlands, the Cairngorum range, Ross, or
Sutherland, where the grouse is an inhabitant through
the year, of the muirs, bis native pasture, and where

* In former days, the Earl of Strathmore’s gamekeeper,
for a considerable bet, undertook to shoot forty brace of
game upon his Lordship’s muirs in Yorkshire. By two
o'clock he had killed forty-three brace.

THE RED GROUSE. 147

he is also nearly the only enlivener of these wild so-
litudes, by his loud morning and evening call. Du-
ring summer it may be varied by the whistle of the cur-
Jew or the wailing of the golden plover, or perhaps in-
terrupted by the sailing flight of some harrier or other
birds of prey ; but in winter, for leagues around,
Dwells but the gor-cock and the deer.”

Unless where much disturbed, the grouse is not
a wild bird, and, unaware of danger, it will allow
a person to approach or walk past, uttering only
its call, as if to make its companions aware that some-
thing is near. In districts where they are much fol-
lowed, they, however, become one of the most wild
and wary of our game, and almost impossible to be
approached except by stratagem. For nearer con-
cealment they are amply provided by the similarity
of the tints of their plumage with the dark brown
moss and heath, and except for the assistance of the
pointer, could not be discovered. Unlike the large
true grouse, the birds of the present group all pair
and continue with their broods until a return of the
warm season, The young in some seasons are dread-
fully ravaged by the tapeworm, almost destroying
them entirely in the districts where it occurs. It is
their most severe natural enemy, The red grouse
pairs very early, if mild, in January, and the female
commences laying at the end of March. The eggs
are deposited in a shallow hollow at the foot of some
tuft of heath, which affords a partial covering and
shelter, aud only a few straws or grasses serve to se-
parate them from the ground. Both parents attend,

148 THE RED GROUSE PTARMIGAN.,

and boldly defend the nest or young from the ordi-
nary aggressors. One of the most dangerous for the
eggs is the common carrion crow or corby, but this
is uften attacked in return and successfully beaten off.
In confinement they very easily tame and become fa-
miliar, and have even bred, though I believe the
young, after being hatched, have very rarely been
reared.

The adult plumage of the grouse which have at-
tained an age beyond a year or two, is a deep rich
sienna brown, the belly almost entirely black. Many
specimens are much marked with white on the under
parts, and some to a greater degree than others;
and it is a usual thing to remark of these birds,
where the colours are so richly contrasted, * What a
fine old bird he is.” The reverse, however, is the
truth, for though white is so often the attribute of
age, it is in this case most prevalent upon the
young males. The females are of a paler tint, and
have the markings larger. During the breeding sea-
son, the feathers of both become much more cut in-
to, as it were, with yellow, and their tips are pale
yellowish white. ‘The grouse varies occasionally to
different shades of cream colour, but we are not aware
of any specimens being perfectly white.

Another grouse, very nearly resembling the moor-
fow! of Britain, is the Willow Grouse, Lagopus sali-
celi, inhabiting the arctic parts of North America, and
extending from thence to the northof Europe. The
plumage of the summer is extremely similar to the red
grouse, but that of the winter is entirely white. The

THE RED GROUSE PTARMIGAN. 149

entire length is about sixteen inches, the weight
about one and a half pounds.

According to Dr Richardson, the Willow Grouse
is partially migratory in the fur countries; it breeds
in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, and, collecting
in flocks on the approach of winter, retires south-
ward as the severity of the weather increases. On
the shores of Hudson’s Bay, it assembles in vast flocks
during winter, 10,000 being sometimes captured in
a single season. Greenland, Iceland, and the valleys
of the Alps, are almost their only habitations in the
old world, frequenting rather wet and brushy situa-
tions. In America, they shelter themselves among
the thickets of willow and dwarf birch. They pass
the night in holes in the snow, and when perceived,
practise a novel artifice in attempting to escape ; they
often terminate their flight by diving precipitately in-
to the loose snow, working their way with considerable
celerity beneath its surface.

The next bird we shall notice is

150

THE COMMON PTARMIGAN.
Lagopus mutus—LeEacn.
PLATE XIX. Prumace or Wixten.—XX. Youna.

Tetrao lagopus, Linneus.—Ptarmigan, Pennant, Latham.
—White Grouse, Bewick'’s Birds——Common Ptarmigan,
Selby’s Illustrations, lix. and lxix. p. 455.

Tuts delicately marked bird in its summer dress,
and of snowy whiteness in winter, appears also to be
a native of both the European and American conti-
nents, though it is certainly more abundant in the
former. It is a species confined to the most alpine
districts, and may be said to be very generally spread
over those of Europe. In Great Britain, its only
habitation now seems to be the high mountain ranges
in the middle of Scotland, increasing in abundance as
the same kind of wild country reaches to the north,
and it also extends to the Hebrides. According to
Pennant, and some contemporary writers, these birds
were once found on the hills of Westmoreland and
Cumberland; and, I believe, recollections even exist
of a few having been seen upon the high ranges which
appear on the opposite border of Scotland. These have
been for some time extirpated, and unless a few so-

PLATE Kit.

LAGOPUS MUTUS

Woy nuteew BY cuwi tages

1

1a "
A

, Vee

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=. Sees. a
ee thie
maf nv,

Ay NAR

Ni

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oe Petals

OF ALWId

THE COMMON PTARMIGAN, 151

litary pairs remain on Skiddaw, or some of its preci-
pitous neighbours, the range of the Grampians will
be its most southern British station. Another bird
has lately been found in this country, which was be-
fore thought to be an inhabitant of America only,
the Lagopus rupestris or Rock Ptarmigan. From its
close resemblance in plumage, it has been confounded
with the common ptarmigan; but one or two spe-
cimens have lately been got in the more northern
Highland districts. In both birds the plumage is of
the most unsullied white during winter. In summer
they are mottled with tints of black ; in the first min-
gled with grey and yellow, in the second with yel-
lowalone. The size varies also, the last being about
two inches less than the Common Ptarmigan. The
chief distinctions to be seized upon at first sight, are
the less size, and the black feathers of the back be-
ing cut into upon the edges, with patches of yellow
only, contrasted with the larger size and grey plumage
of the other,

They inhabit the most barren and rocky spots,
often where nothing is to be seen but an intermin-
able series of rugged rocks distributed in boulder
masses, varying in size, from huge lumps to pieces
of a few inches in diameter. Here, during spring
and summer, the pairs and their broods remain
the only inhabitants, and are discovered with the
greatest difficulty, the mixture of the colours of the
plumage forming a tint which harmonizes with that
of the grey rocks around. At this season they are
also tame and familiar, running before the intruder,
and uttering their peculiarly low wild call, which is

152 WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN,

often the means of their discovery. In this way they
will often reach the opposite edge of the rock, and
will, as it were, simultaneously drop off; but the ex-
pectation of finding them on some lower ledge will
be disappointed, for they have perhaps by that time
sought for and reached the opposite side of the moun-
tains, by a low, wheeling flight, as noiseless as the
solitudes by which they are surrounded. The nest
is made under the rocks and stones, and is very diffi-
cult to be found, for the female on perceiving a person
approach, generally leaves it, and is only discovered
by her motion over the rocks, or her low clacking
cry. In winter they descend lower, but seldom seek
the plains,

The only other bird belonging to this interesting
group is an American species, discovered by the ex-
pedition under Captain Franklin. It has the habits
of the rest, and inhabits the Rocky Mountains. It
has been termed by Dr Richardson Lagopus leucurus,
or White-tailed Ptarmigan, and is at once distinguish-
ed from any of the rest by the want of black on the
pure winter plumage, wanting both the black eye-
stripe and black tail, so conspicuous in the others.
The summer dress is intermediate in colour between
that of the rock and common ptarmigan.

rey

VLA?

FLATE Til

LY MUU PR THX

153

THE COMMON BLACK GROUSE.
Lyrurus tetriz.—Swatnson.

PLATE XXII. Matse.—PLATE XXII. Femane.

Tetrao tetrix, Linneus.—Black Grouse, Black Cock, Male;
Grey Hen, Female, Pennant, &c.—Black Grouse, Selby,
Illustrations, lwiii. and lviii.* p, 423.

Tue most proper place to have described this
beautiful bird was after the true American grouse,
the ptarmigan being more naturally succeeded by the
rext Plate (P]. XXIII.) As it is, it has been placed
here, and we must refer to the conclusion for the si-
tuation of the different groups.

This species is pretty generally spread over Eu-
rope, being found in France and Germany, while, as
we reach the north, in Russia, Sweden, Norway, &e.
it becomes very abundant. In Britain it occurs in
the three countries, most sparingly, however, in
England, from the rich cultivation and champagne
character of the country. The New Forest, Hamp-
shire, Somerset, and the wild parts of Staffordshire,
can boast of it, but these are nearly all the Eng.
lish stations, until we reach the borders, where it
becomes abundant in the wild districts, which con-
duct to its still more frequent haunts in Scotland,

VOL. Iv. Q

154 THE COMMON BLACK GROUSE.

The favourite abode of the black grouse is an
alpine sheep country, where there is comparatively
little heath, moist flats or meadows, with a rank
and luxuriant herbage, and where the glades or passes
among the hills are clothed with natural brush of
birch, hazel, willow, and alder, and have a tangled
bottom of deep fern, ‘These afford both an abund-
ant supply of food, and shelter from the cold at night,
and from the rays of the mid-summer's sun.

Like the greater proportion of the true grouse, the
black game is polygamous; and during the months of
January, February, and March, when his adult breed-
ing plumage of glossy steel-blue is put on, he isanoble-
looking and splendid bird. Inthe warmer sunny days
at the conclusion of winter and commencement of
spring, the males after feeding may be seen arrang-
ed, on some turf fence, rail, or sheep-fold, pluming
their wings, expanding their tails, and practising, as it
were, their murmuring love-call. If the weather now
continues warm, the flocks soon separate, and the
males select some conspicuous spot, from whence
they endeavour to drive all rivals, and commence to
display their arts to allure the female. The places
selected at such seasons are generally elevations;
the turf enclosure of a former sheep-fold which has
been disused, and is now grown over, or some of
those beautiful spots of fresh and grassy pasture,
which are every where to be seen, and are well known
to the inhabitants of a pastoral district. Here, after
perhaps many battles have been fouglit aud rivals van-

THE COMMON BLACK GROUSE. 155

quished, the noble full-dressed blackcock takes his
stand, commencing at first dawn; and where the game
is abundant, the hill on every side repeats the murmur-
ing call, almost before the utterers can be distin-
gnished. They strut around the spot selected, trailing
their wings, inflating the throat and neck, and puffing
up the plumage of those parts, and the now brilliant
wattle aliove the eyes, raising and expanding their tail,
displaying the beautifully coutrasting white under-
covers, and imitating, as it were, the attitudes of a
little turkey-cock. Ile is soon heard by the females,
who crowd around their lord and master.

This season of admiration does not long continue ;
the females disperse to seek proper situations for de-
positing their eggs, while the males, losing their
feeling for love and fighting at the same time, reas+
semble in small parties, and seek the shelter of the
brush and fern beds to complete a new moult, and
are seldom seen except early in the morning, being
now the very reverse in stupidity to what they were
formerly in vigilance. The sexes continue separate
until the winter, when the old males join with the
young broods, and all resort, morning and evening,
to some favourite feeding grounds, spending the
middle of the day in basking, pluming, or sport-
ing upon some sunny hillside. Upon the females
devolve the whole duties of rearing and protecting
the young. The nest is made on the ground like
that of the other grouse, and when hatched the
young are conveyed to the low rushy hollows, where

156 THE COMMON BLACK GROUSE,

there is abundance of water, and plenty of food, in
tender seeds of the rushes, and alpine grasses. ‘The
young are seldom full grown before the first of Sep-
tember; aud even at this season, if they have been
undisturbed previously, they will almost suffer them-
selves to be lifted from among the rank herbage be-
fore the pointers. At this time the plumage of the
young is somewhat like that of the female, a lighter
tint of yellowish-brown, mottled and crossed with
bars of black, the males commencing to get the black
feathers of the adult plumage, or to spot, as sports-
men term it; this is almost always completed by the
beginning of October, but does not gain its richness
of gloss and lustre before the following spring,
During summer the general food is the seeds of
the various grasses, and the berries of the different
alpine plants, such as the cran and crow berries,
blaeberries, &c.* ; and in winter the tender shoots of
the fir, catkins of bireh and hazel, afford them sup-
port in the wilder districts, and often give their pe-
culiar flavour to the flesh; but in all the lower die-
tricts, where, indeed, this bird is most abundant, the
gleaning of the stubble yields a plentiful meal. Fields
of turnips or rape are also favourite feeding places,
and the leaves yiel| them a more convenient sup-
ply of food during bard frost, than they could else-
where provide. In some places flocks of hundreds
* Vaccinium oxyeoceus, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium .
> ipa Vitis Idea, and Arbutus Uva-ursi, are all sought

.

THE COMMON BLACK GROUSE. 157

assemble at feeding times, for of late years this spe-
cies has increased to an immense extent, and from
the life of the hens being to a certain degree pro-
tected, a sufhcient breeding stock is always kept
up. Attheseason of their thus assembling im flocks,
they are extremely shy and wary.

The plumage of the adult male is, onall the upper
parts, of a rich steel-blue ; on the under parts, pitch-
black, which daller colour also is seen on the second-
aries and wing-coverts.. The secondaries are tipped
with white, forming a bar across the wings conspicu-
ous in flight, and the under-tail coverts are of the same
pure colour. ‘The form of the tail is, however, the
most curious or anomalous structure in this bird, dif-
fering from all the others, (except one, where it is very
slightly indicated,) in being forked, aud having the
feathers bending outward. Vrom this circumstance,
it has been formed into a subgenus by Swainson,
under the title Lyrurus, and ix made in that gen-
tleman’s system to represent the fissirostral form
among the Tetraonid, bearing analogy in its forked
tail and glossy plumage to the Drongo shrikes of
Africa and India. ‘The female bears the more unob-
trusive colours which run through the sex in the rest
of the group, and has achaste and beautiful arrange-
ment of brown, black, and greyish-yellow. The fork
of the tail is very slightly seen.

From the Grouse and Ptarmigan we appear to ar-
rive naturally at those birds which fill their situation in

158 THE SAND GROUSE.

the most barren districts of the world ; and for abode
there, they possess requisites equal to those belong-
ing to the inhabitants of the moors or forest. These
have been named Sand-Grouse, and in scientific lan-
guage Pterocles. They inhabit the parched and arid
deserts of Africa and Arabia, plains of burning sand,
bounded only by the horizon, “ where no palm-trees
rise to spot the wilderness,” themselves almost the on-
ly living creature, often proving a most welcome sight
to those who, from necessity or avarice, attempt their
dangerous passage. For abode in these deserts, a
more extended locomotive power is necessary, the
distances to be passed from the various watering
places and supply of food being very great. We
find the feet small therefore, formed for running
lightly on the burning sand, the bodies more light
and slender than any of the birds we have been de-
scribing, and the wings lengthened, with the first
quills longest; the tail also is often long, thus shew-
ing an extent of development in the most important
organs of flight, far beyond any of the others. They
are thus enabled to pass over vast distances, and they
sweep over these wastes with an easy, noiseless, and
extremely rapid flight.

Swainson accounts these birds the tenuirostral
group in this family, and as a departure from the
Gualline. The Prince of Musignano remarks, that
some species of them lay a small number of eggs,
and that the young remain for a considerable time in
the nest after being hatched. ‘The colours of these

iE SAND-G mie ty 159
irds are peculiar shades of brown and wistioe ,
yellow, assimilating with the colour of the deserts -,
they inhabit. |

The first we have to notice is a European bird of —
great rarity. It is

160

PALLAS'S SAND-GROUSE.
Syrrhaptes Pallasii—Tem™incx.
PLATE XXIII.

Tetrao paradoxa, Pallas.—Heteroclite grouse, Latham.—
Heteroclite Pallas, Svrrhaptes Pallasii, Temminck, Pi-
geons et Gallinacés ; Pl. Coloriées, 935—Delanoue, Diction-
naire Classique d° Histoire Naturelle, viii. p. 182.

Tue entire length of this curious bird, figured by
Temminck, was scarcely nine inches, of which the
very long tail feathers occupy three; but the speci-
mens procured by M. Delanoue from the borders of
China, were above eleven inches, exclusive of the
tail, which was above three. The colours of these
birds were much more brilliant also, and he is of opi-
nion that the subject of our plate was a young male
of small size. The plumage is generally of the brown-
ish yellow tint, the common colour of the whole;
upon the back and wings of a clearer and more yel-
low tint than on the other parts. Across the lower
part of the breast, the feathers have a black band
at the tip, which forms a bar across; and upon the
centre of the belly there is another broader band
of brownish-black. The feathers on the back are

NSssvrrval SaLLel LAS

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PALLAS SAND GROUSE. 161

tipped also witha circle of black, and the secondaries
are terminated with redilish-brown, forming a bar of
that colour across the wings. ‘The wings are long,
- the outer feather surpassing the others, and lengthened
to a fine narrow point: in the same way are the
centre feathers of the tai] much extended beyond the
others, and terminate in the same kind of narrow se-
taceous plume.

The feet of this bird are very extraordinary. Ac-
cording to Delanoue, who appears to be the only
one who bas seen them alive, the toes are so short
as to be scarcely distinguishable, the centre one only
deserving that appellation, and they are covered to
the claws with thick down, these parts being alone
observable without putting aside the covering. The
consequence is a slow, and, as it were, painful man-
ner of walking; while on the contrary, the flight is
rapid and high. The same traveller found the nest
of the female among some stones collected under a
shrub, containing four eggs of a reddish-white spotted
with brown. The nest was perfectly simple, con-
structed with only a few stalks of grass, and the fe-
male exhibited the utmost sohcitade for her precious
deposit. ‘The female differs little from the male, ex-
cept in size, and a little less brilliancy of plumage.

The genus Syrrhaptes was established by Illiger
fur the reception of this curious bird, and M. Tem-
minck dedicated the only species yet known to the
celebrated Pallas, its first deseriber. The next bird
is more typical of this beautiful little group ; it is

VoL. IV. R

162

THE BANDED SAND GROUSE.
Plerocles arenarius.—TEMMINCK.
PLATE XXIV. Femate.—PLATE XXV. Mate.

Tetrao arenarius, Pallas.—Ganga unibande, Pterocles are-
narius, Temminck, Pig. et Gallinacés, and Pl. Coloriées,
pls. 52 and 55.

Iw this beautiful sand-grouse, we see, if such an
expression may be used, a more perfect form. The
form of the bird is strong but light, the wings long
and ample. The tarsi feathered only in front, and
the feet evidently adapted for running. We have,
however, the same prevailing colour of grey and yel-
lowish-brown, of the peculiar opeque lustre which
prevails among them. The belly of the male is deep
brownish-black, the throat is marked with a spot of
the same colour, and below the breast there is ano-
ther similarly coloured band, from which Temminck
has derived his trivial name. The female is of the
same general tint. The dark parts of the under
plumage are paler, and the patch on the throat is
wanting, but apparently replaced by another of
grey, while the head, breast, and upper parts are
covered with brownish-black bars and crossings,
somewhat akin to those which distinguish the fe-
males of the true grouse. The tail in this species

creamy
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THE BANDED SAND-GROUSE. 163

is rounded, but rather lengthened; it varies in
length from twelve to fourteen inches.

The banded sand-grouse is found on the vast
sandy plains in the south of the Russian empire,
upon the banks of the Volga, but most abundantly
in the north of Africa. Temminck also thinks that
it is entitled to the rank of a European straggler,
one or two instances having occurred of its being
met with in Spain and Germany. Nauman killed
one on the territory of Anhalt, and several others
were said to have been found in the same season ;
Temminck possesses two specimens killed in Spain.
The nest is made among stunted brush, upon the
ground, and four or five eggs only are deposited.
The principal food during the season is the seeds of
an astragalus.

Pterocles exustus, coronatus, Lichtensteinii, are
other delicately marked species, inhabiting the Afri-
can deserts, and having nearly the same manners,
while a beautiful species inhabiting India was made
known by Sonnerat, under the name of Gelinote des
Indes. The Pterocles quadricinctus of Temminck,
is so uamed, from four bands of brown, white, black,
and again white, which encircle the breast of the
adult males.

Another interesting species is the pintailed sand-
grouse, Pterocles setarius of Temminck, a native of
Europe as well as Africa, and the only one which
can be called really European. It is remarkable in
the lengthened form of the centre tail-feathers, and

164 THE BANDED SAND-GROUSE.

particularly so in the strong bill, (which forms a
marked contrast with the others, which are all com-
paratively weak,) and approaches almost to the
strength of that of the grouse, while the nostrils still
remain uncovered, It is found in Spain and some
of the southern provinces, and the north of Africa,
frequenting, perhaps, more the Landes, where there
is a greater proportion of herbage. The nest is
made among loose stones or scanty herbage, and
the eggs are only four or five in number.

The next birds we have to describe are, if pos-
sible, still more curious. In illustration of these,
we have figured

Raat
Te [

5
er

PLATE

CKVPTONTX CORONATUS

165

THE CROWNED CRYPTONIX.
Cryptonix coronata.—T em.
PLATE XXVI.

Le Rouloul de Malacea, Sonnerat, ii. p. 174, pl. 100.—
Cryptonix ou Rouloul couronné, Cryptonix coronatus,
Temminck, Pl. Coloriées, pls. 550 and 351.

Turs singular bird has been placed by ornitholo-
gists alternately among the pheasants, pigeons, and
partridges, Its nearest alliance is perhaps to the
last, but it differs from them in the form of the bill
and nostrils, and from all the Tetraonide in the im-
perfection of the hallux, which wants the claw. It
is further remarkable for the large naked space round
the eyes, and for the ample tuft or crown of hairy-
looking plames which adorn the head. The form of
the bird is compact aud robust, the wings short and
rounded, and the tail almost concealed by the fea-
thers of the rump. It inhabits the forests of India,
never visiting the plains, and is most frequently met
with in Malacea, Java, Sumatra, &c.

The length of the male is about ten inches; the
plumage of the upper parts, except the wings, head,
and neck, is a deep olive-green ; on the breast. and
under parts it becomes almost black or steel blue,
and the head and neck are of that colour, with purple

166 THE CROWNED CRYPTONIX,

reflections. The wings are umber brown, varied
with a deeper tint. The crown and hind head are
adorned with a lengthened crest of hair-like feathers,
of an orange-red, but marked in front with a con-
spicuous band of white. Before this, at the base
of the bill there springs a tuft of strong black hair
or bristles, which curve backwards. The space
surrounding the eyes, base of the bill, and legs, are
bright red. ‘The female has the plumage entirely of
the green which covers the upper parts of the male,
except the wings. On the forehead are the black
hairs or bristles, but the red occipital crest is en-
tirely wanting.

Cryptoniz niger, entirely black, is another species
belonging to this form, the female is brown. There
appears also to be one or two other birds which will
rank with these, which have not yet been properly
distinguished. Our next birds compose the genus
Ortygis of Illiger, and the form will be seen in

PLATE XXVIII

x. a al
sani Wyte tee
a;

ORTYGIS MEIFFREN

167

THE WHITE-SPOTTED ORTYGIS.
Ortygis Meiffrenii._TemMince.
PLATE XXVII.

White-spotted Turnix, Swainson, Zool. Illust.—Turnix
Meiffeinii, Temminck, pl. 50.

THESE curious diminutive birds are found in Af-
rica, India, and the warmer parts of New Holland.
Few of them are so large as the common quail, and
several do not attain half the size. ‘The colours are
somewhat similar; but in the form of the body—
the length of uncovered leg above the joint, form of
the foot in wanting entirely the hallux—reminds us
of the true bustards. They inhabit the barren Landes,
and the confines of the deserts, seldom taking
wing except when pressed, and ranning with great
swiftness. They are polygamous, and it is one of
these birds which are so much used by the Malays,
Javanese, and Chinese in quail-fighting, whichis car-
ried to a much greater excess than the same practices
in the cock-pit. The species represented on the ac-
companying plate exhibits the peculiarity of form
and length of legs. The bird itself is scarcely larger
than the figure, the upper parts delicately shaded
with yellowish white, the lower parts nearly pure
white. By Mr Swainson it had been, (subsequently

168 WHITE-SPOTTED ORTYGIS.

to Temminck, we think,) named nivosus, from the
white spots which delicately mark the breast. It is
a native of Africa,

Our next bird is of stronger proportions. It is

ALLO

ezalvia of ih PY ef ERR ean Oo

169

BLACK-NECKED ORTYGIS.
Oriygis nigricotlis.
PLATE XXVIII.

Turnix cagnan, Hemipodius nigricollis, Temminck, Pigeons
et Galiinacés, iii. p. 619.

Turs is a stronger species than the last, coming
nearer to the true quails, being rather more than six
inches in length. ‘The head and neck are deep black,
mingled above with white and brown, but upon the
throat generally of a solid black. The upper plu-
mage is varied with irregular markings of yellowish-
brown and black, and the breast is largely barred
with the latter colour upon a pale yellowish-brown
ground. It inhabits the island of Madagascar, and
most probably also the continent of Africa.

The next birds we have to notice are the last in
this important and interesting family, but although
they have been placed last, we are by no means cer-
tain of their situation. The Tinamous, forming the
genus Crypturus of Illiger, are all natives of the
New World, particularly abounding in the Brazilian
and tropical forests, whose open glades they frequent
during the day, and at night repose on the large

VOL. IV. s

170 GENUS CRIPTURUCS.

branches of the trees, seeking safety from the nu-
merous carnivorous animals which hunt their prey
during night, and delight in the varied game of these
wilds. During day they skulk about the long her-
bage, and even when assailed by men, allow them-
selves to be killed with sticks, rather than exert their
little powers of fight. The wings and tail are both
short and without power, the latter almost wanting;
but their feet are more fitted for running in the
marshy grounds, and the <isincumbrance of the tail
enables them to thread an easy passage through a
tangled herbage. The next Plate represents

PLATE #9.

eee

CRYUTURUS RUFESCENS

THE GUAZU.

Crypturus rufescens.
PLATE XXIX.

Tinamou isabelle, Tinamus rufescens, Temminck, Planches
Coloriées, pl. 412,

Tats is a large bird, measuring in length ahove
15 inches. It is a native of Paraguay anid Brazil,
and is said to frequent the plains of deep grassy her-
bage, and to come forth in moonlight and twilight to
the fields of newly sown grain. During day it is
difficult to raise, and will allow itself almost to be
trodden on, They are hunted with dogs, and some-
what esteemed for their flesh. The nest is formed
among the long grass, and four or five egys are laid,
according to Temminck, of a brilliant violet colour,
the form nearly round.

On the crown are rows of black spots upon the
tips of the feathers; the ground colour, with that of
the neck and breast, is a pale and delicate yellowish
orange. The whole of the other parts, except the
quills and secondaries, are of a delicate wood-brown,
or, as Temminck expresses it, “couleur de café a

172 THE GUAZU.

Jait ;” palest beneath, and marked above with large
black crescent-formed patches. The quills and se-
condaries are bright yellowish-orange.

The other species of the genus we have repre-
sented is—

173

THE TATAUPA.
Crypturus tataupa.
PLATE XXX.

Tinamou tataupa, Tinamus tataupa, Temminck, Planches
Coloriées, pl. 415.

Tus bird is also a native of Paraguay, and has
nearly the manners with the last, a little more fami-
liarity is displayed, and it approaches commonly
nearer to cultivation, whence it has received the pro-
vincial name of Tataupa. It breeds in similar places
to the last, and the eggs are of a deep brilliant blue.
Violet and blue are remarkable colours in the eggs
of the gallinaceous birds, the former very rare among
any, and the tinamous seem to lead off in this respect
as well as many other peculiarities.

The Tataupa is a small species, being only about
nine inches in length. The head, neck, breast, and
belly are of a greyish leaden colour; the throat pure
white, the back and wing-coverts brownish-black,
the feathers on the thighs and rump are dull black,
bordered with a narrrow band of white. The bill is
brilliant red, and the legs are of a purplish-red, both
contrasting well with the otherwise dull and chaste

plumage.

174 THE TATAUPA.

Fourteen or fifteen species of these curious birds
are described, but their history is not well known,
and there is considerable confusion among their
names, from the works of Spix affixing new appella-
tions to almost all that were known, One of the
most curious is the Tinamus nanus of Temminck,
of very diminutive size, being about a third less than
the common quail. It is very interesting from its
form, which approaches in many respects to that of
Ortygis, and is thought by Temminck to stand at
the extremity of the present genus, and lead to that
we have just mentioned. The hallux is simply a
nail, and there is an extraordinary development. in
the feathers of the rump. It wil] stand as the type
of a subgenus.

175

We now give a short arrangement of the genera
which have been already proposed by different or-
nithologists. Those in capitals are what Mr Swain-
gon considers the five leading forms, those in com-
mon letters are the subgenera, of which one or two
more will be necessary in both Perdix and Cryp-
turus.

The Rasores, or third order of birds, contains the
families Pavonidw, Tetraonide, Cracidse, Struthio-
nide, Columbids.

The family of Tetraonide contains the genera and
subgenera

Pernrx.
Francolinus,
Ortyx.
Coturnix.

TETRAO,
Lyrurus.
Centrocercus,
Lagopus.
Syrrhaptes.
Pterocles.
Attagia?

CryPronix.

Onrvseis.
Crvypruaus,

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PLATE XXVIII

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CRYUTURUS RUFESCENS

PLATE 30.