Cassell's book of birds; vol. 3Brehm, Alfred Edmund
Science
Cassell's book of birds; vol. 3
Brehm, Alfred Edmund
Birds
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account