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GALLOPERDIX ZEYLONENSIS.

Ceylon Spur-Fowl.,

Tetrao Zeylonensis, Gmel. Edit. Linn. Syst. Nat. tom. i. par. i. p. 759.

Perdia bicalcaratus, Forst. Ind. Zool. p. 25. pl. 14.—Penn. Ind. Zool. p. 40. pl. 7.—Penn. Hind. vol. i. p. 212

zeylonensis, Bonnat. et Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn. vol. i. p. 210. pl. 93. fig. Stee Hist Sie ales Gall
tom. ili. pp. 311 & 718. : a

Francolinus ceylanensis, Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 504.

Ceylon Partridge, Lath. Gen. Syn. vol. iv. p. 758.—Ib. Gen. Hist. vol. viii. p. 268.

Chitty-gong Partridge, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp. p. 222.—Ib. Supp. vol. ii. p. 278.

Galloperdix zeylonensis, Blyth, Cat. of Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, pez

 

 

As the above list of synonyms will show, this bird has been long known to writers on natural history, yet
how few collections there are which contain examples! I do not, in fact, know an Asiatic species of the
Gallinacea which is more seldom seen in our museums. Mr. Edgar L. Layard, who has lately returned to
England, after a residence of eight years in Ceylon, has, however, partially supplied this want by bringing
with him numerous examples. Few persons write more agreeably on subjects of natural history than this
gentleman, and no one has contributed so largely to our knowledge of the ornithology of Ceylon; so
valuable, in fact, are his notes, that it is to be hoped that if his future years are to be spent in foreign
countries, they may be passed in some interesting locality, where his leisure hours may be as usefully
employed as they were in Ceylon.

I do not find on record any information whatever respecting the singular and prettily-marked bird
forming the subject of the accompanying Plate ; the following notes from the pen of Mr. Layard, which I
have great pleasure in giving in his own words, will therefore be read with interest :—

“This species, known to Europeans under the various denominations of ‘ Spur-Fowl,’ ‘ Double-spurred
Partridge,’ and ‘ Kandy Partridge,’ is an inhabitant of the central, southern, and south-western provinces.

“Tt delights in deep tangled brakes and thick masses of canes on the sides of gentle declivities ; these
it finds abundantly in the localities above cited, while, in the northern and eastern provinces, the sandy soil
and open jungles which prevail offer no congenial home to a bird of its shy and retiring habits. Even in
localities where it does occur, it is more often heard than seen, for so extreme is its wariness that it rarely
falls before the gun even of the native hunter, who creeps about unclad and as noiselessly as the denizens
of the forest. It is trapped therefore by means of nooses and other snares placed in its path, for its flesh
is highly valued by the natives. I think it decidedly superior in flavour to any other game which I tasted
in Ceylon ; it ate and looked much like grouse.

“Tt is most active during the mornings and evenings, roaming in small parties amid the open glades or
bare towering trunks of the ‘ Mookalane’ or high tree-jungle, but on the least alarm seeking safety in the
most impenetrable underwood. After remaining concealed some time, and if nothing occurs to excite their
‘Il utter a few low notes, not unlike the plaintive call of a turkey-

fears, a cock-bird, bolder than the rest, w Le
ed, the call is changed for a loud piping

poult ; if this is answered from a distance, or the birds are reassur

whistle, of which the following stave gives the nearest representation which I can devise,—

Fee ee

——— eee ee
ef reece ee a ee [oma ee

 

I am convinced that, like the Virginian Quail,

and the birds once more sally out from their concealment. i
egree. I have often listened to those in

these birds possess the power of ventriloquizing in an emiment d

t the calls proceeded from every part of the garden save that in

my aviary, and could have declared tha
which the performers were located.
«They do not thrive well in confinement, but exhibit the ce
hiding behind their feeding-troughs or herding in corners ; if any object ee be ot en
them suddenly, they rise from the ground with a spring, and unless the roof 1s placed at é
altitude, dash their heads against it and fall lifeless to the ground. ed
“They fly with great rapidity, but prefer to seek safety in aes rat - ae fee
flight. One which escaped from a basket in my house flew up to the ro a aes ce ;
holes, but instead of continuing on the wing at the elevation it had attained, 1 Inste vi

same wild and suspicious demeanour, always

aintain a lengthened

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