The BLACK PARTRIDGE (_Francolinus vulgaris_) is of a deep black on the
brow, cheeks, and breast; the feathers on the back of the head are edged
with red, and streaked with white; the ear-feathers are pure white; those
on the centre of the throat are reddish brown, and form a broad collar;
the mantle-feathers are black, bordered with red, and spotted with white,
those of the lower back finely striped black, and more or less spotted
and lined with white. The thighs and lower tail-covers have the feathers
tipped with brown; the quills are black and red, those at the exterior
black and grey at their roots. The eye is brown, the beak black, and the
foot yellowish red. This species is from thirteen to fourteen inches long,
and twenty broad. The wing measures five inches and three-quarters, and
the tail three inches and a half.
Jerdon informs us "that the Black Partridge is found throughout the whole
of Northern India, from the Himalayas to the valley of the Ganges, and
southwards to Sindh and Guzerat, eastwards through Dacca to Assam, Sylhet,
and Tipperah, and on mountains 4,000 feet above the level of the sea." It
frequents by preference grass meadows near water, cultivated fields of
corn, mustard, or pulse, and any patch of moderately high green herbage,
also low jungle, and is not unfrequently flushed in moderately long grass
interspersed with bushes, even at some distance from water.
"In the cold weather," says Jerdon, "after the young have flown and
separated from their parents, they may be found scattered over a greater
expanse of country than during the hot weather and rains, and are often to
be found in fields far from water. This Partridge is stated occasionally
to perch and roost on trees; but this is certainly a rare habit, at least
with this species."
During pairing-time the call of the cock bird may be frequently heard at
sunrise, and towards evening. Malesherbes represents it as an agreeable
sound, resembling the syllables "Tre-tre-tre."
A Sicilian proverb says that the bird wishes to declare his own value, and
that he may be purchased for three coins. This cry has been represented by
many different syllables that, however, would scarcely give a correct idea
of its sound to those who have not heard it. The Mussulmans say that it
repeats the pious words, "Dobhan teri kudrut," others that it calls out,
"Lussun, piaz, udruk," or garlic, onions, ginger. Adams represents the cry
as "Lohee-wha-which-a-whick," and some one else as "Juk-juk-tee-tar." One
writer has compared it to the harsh grating blast of a cracked trumpet;
but Jerdon says that it is far from being a loud call, though sufficiently
audible for a great distance. This cry is almost always uttered from a
slight eminence, such as a bank, ant-hill, or clump of earth, and where
the birds are numerous, answering cries may be heard from all sides. These
birds generally call much after rain, or after a heavy dew.
The Francolin is not shy, but when it finds itself pursued, runs quickly
for two or three minutes, avoiding open ground, before it takes wing;
its flight is strong and steady, but slow, and not long continued. When
alarmed it usually only rises to the nearest bush, and thence descends
again to the ground.
In India, according to Jerdon, the hens brood from May to July. The nest
is usually in high grass, sometimes in indigo fields, and occasionally
in plantations of sugar-cane. The eggs are ten or twelve, and sometimes
even fifteen in number, of a pale blueish white or pale green tint. It is
probable that the mother alone broods.
A few years ago many of these birds were shot in Sicily, but now they
seem to have almost disappeared from that island. In Syria and Palestine,
according to Tristram, "they are found in the rich lowland plains of
Gennesaret, Acre, and Phœnicia, concealing themselves in the dense herbage
and growing corn, where their singular call can be heard resounding at
daybreak from every part of the plain, while not a bird can be seen." In
the _Bengal Sporting Magazine_ for 1841, we are told that seventy-five
brace were shot by one sportsman in the neighbourhood of Kamal in the
Upper Provinces; but it is everywhere more scarce than it was formerly.
The flesh of this bird is good, especially when kept for a few days, and
eaten cold. The beautiful spotted feathers of the lower plumage were used
in some parts of the country to make into capes, but are now scarcely
procurable.
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The BARE-NECKED PHEASANTS (_Pternistes_) constitute a group of African
Francolins, recognisable by their comparatively slender body, moderately
long neck, and small head. The wing (in which the fourth quill exceeds the
rest in length) is much rounded, the tail, over which the pinions do not
extend, is almost straight at its extremity. The beak is of medium size,
the foot high, and armed with a spur.