T a b . L X X I .
P E R D IX CHUKAR.
T.te»E are now four species known of this remarkable group of Partridges, distingnishetl by their red bills
and tars,, as well as by tbe uniform colouring of their backs and the barred feathering of tlicir sides. This
general mnfonnity of colouring renders then, so similar to each other, that to a casual observer they scarcely
appear to form more than one species. The speclSc cllffcrciices are, however, easily ascertained by closer
e^n iin a tio n . Three o f them are well known to us as natives of Europe and the adjacent parts of Asia and
Afrira. The present species is a native o f tbe Himalaya, in wliieh locality alone it has hitlierto been taken
^ 1 e h aw had an opportunity of e.vaml,il„g this hcaiitlfiil bird in a living state in the Gardens o f tlie Zoological
Society. Like the Hed-legged Partridge of England, with which it strictly agrees in its disposition it
manifested an irritable and pngnaeioiis temper, and was perpetually a t war with its fellow-captlves
The general plumage of the upper surface is asl.-eoloiir tinged with vinous especially across tl.e hack : a
black hue passes across the forehead, through the eyes, over the car-coverts, extends down the sides of the
neck, and meets on the chest, encircling a sjiace o f pale yellow; the chest is vinous ash-colour ; the tliiglis
am abdomen tawny yellow ; the feathers o f the sides are white a t their base ; this white is boumled by a bar
of hlaek. then succeeds a broad belt of tawny, then another bar of black, and next an edging o f rich brown
along the ronndcd extremity o f each feather ; the tail-feathers are grey, beeoming rufons a t'th e ir tips ■ the
beak and tarsi briglit red. " ‘
It is figured of the natural size.
l- if, .K.15 f X I M i i r i K A B .