The CHUCKORE PARTRIDGE (_Caccabis Chukor_), a very nearly allied species,
is found throughout the Western Himalayas, passing into Thibet, and in the
salt range and alpine regions of the Punjaub, passing into Affghanistan.
"In our part of the hills," says "Mountaineer" (the North-western
Himalayas), "the Chuckore is most numerous in the higher inhabited
districts, but is found scattered over all the lower and middle ranges.
In summer they spread themselves in the grassy hills to breed, and about
the middle of September begin to assemble in and around the cultivated
fields near the villages, gleaning at first in the grain fields which have
been reaped, and afterwards, during winter, in those that have been sown
with wheat and barley for the ensuing season, preferring the wheat. A few
straggling parties linger on the hill-sides, where they breed, as also in
summer many remain to perform the business of incubation in the fields.
In autumn and winter they keep in loose scattered flocks, very numerous,
sometimes to the number of forty or fifty, or even a hundred. In summer,
though not entirely separated, they are seldom seen in large flocks, and a
single pair is often met with. They are partial to dry, stony localities,
never go into forests, and in the lower hills seem to prefer the grassy
hill-sides to the cultivated fields. This may probably be owing to their
comparatively fewer numbers, as I have observed that many others of
the feathered race are much shyer and more suspicious of man when few
in number than those of the same species in places where they are more
numerous. Their call is a kind of chuckling, often continued for some
time, and by a great many birds at once. It is uttered indiscriminately
at various intervals of the day, but most generally when breeding. The
Chuckore feeds on grain, roots, and berries, when caught young it becomes
quite tame, and will associate with domestic poultry. From the beginning
of October Chuckore-shooting is, perhaps, the most pleasant of anything
of the kind; in the hills about some of the higher villages ten or twelve
brace may be bagged in a few hours."
From a writer in the _Bengal Sporting Magazine_ we learn that "the male
is very bold, and is tamed for the purpose of fighting. In a domesticated
state he makes no hesitation in offering battle to every animal, and pecks
very fiercely, always searching for a tender part; the nose of a dog or
the naked feet of the native servants immediately attract his attention,
and he soon makes the object of his attack fain to run."
"When reclaimed," says another contributor to the same periodical, "this
bird is peculiarly bold, fearless, and entertaining. It trots about the
house, and is as familiar as a little dog. It is amusing to see its
antipathy to quick motions in others. It will follow a servant who hurries
into a room, pecking at his heels, scouring away when he attempts to turn
upon it. It is still more persevering against the poor wight who moves
backwards and forwards as he pulls the punkah. Half asleep at his task,
he is roused by a fierce attack on his legs. He attempts to continue his
work, and at the same time to drive away the intruder; but it is of no
use, and he is at last obliged to call for assistance to rid him of his
persecutor."
[Illustration: THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE (_Caccabis rubra_). ONE-THIRD
NATURAL SIZE.]