AMMOPERDIX BONHAML.,

Bonham’s Sand Partridge.

Caccabis Bonhami, G. R. Gray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xi. p. 372.—Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. iii,
p. 508, Caccabis, sp. 7.

Perdix Bonhami, Fraser in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XI. p: 70.—Ib. Zool. Typ., pl. 61.

griseo-gularis, Brandt, Bull. des Sci. St. Petersb., vol. x. Ds 20

 

 

SEVERAL individuals of this interesting species of Partridge were procured at Teheran in 1842 by Edward
W. Bonham, Esq., H.M. Agent at Tabreez in Persia, and were subsequently presented by that gentleman to
the Zoological Society of London, in whose Gardens they lived for some time. The Society has also
received a collection of birds from Keith E. Abbott, Esq., obtained by him in the south of Persia, among
which is a fine male specimen with a label attached, on which is written “ Teehoo or Diminutive Partridge
of Persia. Shot near Neyruz, 9th Feb. 1850. Abounds in stony dry rocky ground; ” and I find a specimen
in the collection made by Lord Gifford in Thibet : we have therefore ample evidence that it enjoys a very
wide range, and it is very probable that it extends over the whole of Persia, Thibet, and the neighbouring
countries.

The species was named almost simultaneously both by Mr. G. R. Gray and Mr. Fraser in honour of the
gentleman who first sent it to Europe ; Mr. Gray’s description, however, has the advantage of a slight priority.

The Ammoperdix Bonhami is nearly allied to, but exceeds the 4. FHleyi in size, and the male may always be
distinguished from the male of that species by the spotted markings on the sides of the neck: on the other
hand, the females of the two species much resemble each other, while they differ very considerably from
their respective mates : a marked difference is also observable in the colouring of the legs of the two species ;
those of 4. Bonhami being olive, while those of 4. Hey? are yellow.

Mr. Blyth informs us that ‘it inhabits rocky places covered here and there with brushwood, feeds much
on wild-thyme, is found in coveys, and when sprung rises with a startling noise like the Bush Quails (genus
Perdicula). Sportsmen reckon it very easy to kill, and it is said to be delicious eating : the name Seesee
expresses its call. Fine specimens were prepared by Capt. Duncan of the 43rd Regiment of N. I., who
also brought living examples from Afghanistaun, and kept one of them alive up to the time of his departure
to England in the beginning of 1845.”

The male has the general colour isabella brown, numerously banded and freckled with dusky ; crown of
the head grey ; rump and upper tail-coverts speckled with black, the speckles consisting of three small irre-
gular spots down the centre of the apical portion of each feather; forehead and line over the eye deep
black ; broad line behind the eye white, terminating in rufous ; beneath this line another line of black ; lores

i

b

white ; throat greyish white; breast delicate grey; on the side of the neck a transverse patch of bluish grey,
with numerous oblong spots of white and a few specks of black ; flank feathers rufous, isabella brown and

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white, margined with black ; primaries pale brown, all but the first barred on their outer webs with whitish ;
tail cinnamon, tips paler and freckled with black ; bill and nostrils flesh-colour; legs and feet olive.

7 aay X

In the female the black marks of the head in the male are replaced by freckled marks of black and white ;
the general colouring is more grey; the freckling on the wings larger and more distinct ; the marks on the
lower part of the back less so; and the flanks light brown conspicuously freckled with black.

The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.