(1988) Perdix hodgsoniae caraganae .
THE LADAK PARTRIDGE.
Perdix hodgsonii caraganae Meinertz., Bull. B.O. C, xlvi, p. 86 (1826) (Shushal). Perdix hodgsonii. Blanf. & Oates, iv, p. 142 (part.).
Vernacular names. Chak pa (Ladaki).
Description. Much paler than the Tibetan Partridge; less bluish tinge above and more chestnut markings ; the broad rich chestnut collar in that bird is replaced by a narrow yellow-chestnut collar.
Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in the Tibetan race.
Distribution. Ladak, where Osmaston records it as generally a rare bird and common in a few places only at about 15,000 feet. It was once obtained in the Bhagiratti Valley near Gangotri and it also occurs in Kuman at the highest elevations.
Nidification. Nothing recorded.
Habits. Osmaston says that, it was often found frequenting Caragana-bushes, otherwise there is nothing recorded beyond Meinertzhagen's notes:—"This Partridge was only found in Tibetan gorse (Caragana), which grows in patches along the Pangkong Lake and in most of the valleys of Eastern Ladak. They are difficult to flush but, if driven to the end of the patch in which they live, will sit close. When they rise they make very much the same noise as the English Partridge."
* The differences in this race were pointed out by me in the Bombay Natural History Society's Journal, xxviii, p. 574 (1922).
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