Francolinus chinensis (Osb.).
The Chinese Partridge.

Francolinus chinensis (Osb.), Hume, Rough Draft N.   E. no. 819 bis.

The Chinese Partridge or Francolin breeds within our limits only, SO far as I yet know, in the comparatively dry portions of Upper Pegu. It does not, I believe, occur in the valley of the Irrawaddy lower down than Prome.

Mr. Theobald recorded having found a nest of this species at Meadey,a little north-east of Thayetmyo, on the 9th June. It was placed upon the ground, and contained four uniform greenish cream-coloured eggs, measuring 1.4 by 1.5.

From Thayetmyo Mr. Oates writes that this species " is particularly vociferous in June and July. I have never myself actually taken the eggs, but the Burmans say that the nest is situated at the foot of a bamboo-clump on a hill-side. I have had the eggs brought me in June.   They are creamy or huffy white."

He very kindly also sent me specimens of the eggs taken on the 6th June.

These are much like those of F. pictus; they are of the usual Francolin, more or less pegtop-shape, are dull and have little gloss, and vary from cream-colour to dingy olive-yellow or pale yellowish stone-colour.   They measure 1.45 and 1.51, by 1.2.