The snow partridge, when rearing its young, if disturbed, exhibits all that distressful anxiety so common to its tribe. It does not counter feit lameness like some, but walks away before the intruder, and calls out in the most plaintive tnanuer, while the young squat close to the grounti or creep beneath the stones.
The black partridge, Francolinus rulgaris, frequents grass meadows. Muhanimadans of India compare its call to the words Subhau teri kudrat, Show your power to-morrow! Otherk describe it as Labsan, piaz, adrak, Garlic, onions, ginger! It is still abundant, though _becoming scarcer.
Early in the morning the call of the male bird of the painted partridge may be heard to a great distance, Claee-kee-kerray, Chee-kee-kerray. The Chukor, HIND., or Atash khor, PERS., is the chukcn partridge, Cacabis chukor of Jerdon, fabled by natives to be enamoured of the moon, and at full moon to eat fire. The two Persian words signify fire-eater. The chukor is common in all parts of the valley of the Indus, and throughout Tibet. In winter, when the hills are covered with snow, they are to be found in great numbers close to the rivers, even in the immediate neighbourhood of the villages ; general, when approached, they lie close among the crevices of the stones. Dr. Thomson was invited by the thannadar of Iskardo to be present at a hunting party, which he had arranged for the capture of the chukor, by surrounding a spot of ground, in which these birds are numerous, with a ring of men, who, approaching from all directions, gradually form a dense circle of perhaps a hundred yards in diameter.
1Vhen the partridges are disturbed by a horseman in this enclosure, they can only fly towards the living wall by which they are surrounded. Loud shouts, and the beating of drums and. waving of caps and cloaks, turn them back, and they are driven from side to side, till at last, exhausted with fatigue and stupid from the noise and confusion, they sink to the ground, and allow themselves to be caught by hand. The scene was a very striking one. The spot selected was a deep dell, full of rocks, but without trees. The sport, however, did not seem so successful as usual, six or eight birds only being captured. The hen of the chukor lays from 8 to 15 eggs. . The grey partridge, Orty gornis Ponticeriana, is easily tamed, and will follow its owner about like a dog, even in the crowded streets. Muhammadans keep it in small cages, sometimes for fighting, as it is very pugnacious, and fights with great spirit and obstinacy. It readily utters its call, Pateela - pateela-pateela, when spoken to. It is used as a decoy for wild birds. The male bird of the covey, attracted by its call, is easily caught when fighting. The kyah partridge, Or. gularis, are found in wavy, thick grass, and in many places it can only be followed on elephants.—Thomson's Travels, p. 2 ; Jerdon.