Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys

and the habitat protection lobbying will take one to two
years.
Resources: Variable, depending on length and scope of
survey work, although substantial long-term funding
should be sought for population monitoring work.
Project 17. Himalayan quail
(Ophrysia superciliosa)
Aim: To search for this species in suitable habitat.
Justification: There have been no confirmed sightings of
the Himalayan quail for many years, and indeed the
species may already be extinct. There clearly is an urgent
need to mount an intensive search for this species to
ascertain whether it still survives in the Lower Himalayas
of Uttar Pradesh. If the species can be found, protection
for its habitat will be a major priority.
Project description: Work is underway to look for this
species. WPA-South Asia Regional Office in collaboration
with WWF-India has launched a multi-phased project.
The first phase produced a booklet to highlight the need
for funding for further searches involving the forest
department network. It is hoped that survey work will
commence early in 2000. As the Himalayan quail may
prefer habitats similar to those used by cheer pheasants
Catreus wallichi, areas where the pheasant is found should
also be visited. When identified, potential areas should be
visited on the ground by survey teams, and a variety of
methods used to attempt to locate birds. This work must
be carried out through different times of year, as there is
some debate as to whether the species is sedentary or
migratory.
Timescale: A long-term approach of approximately two
years should be taken, so that all suitable habitat can be
surveyed at different times of year.
There have been no records of the Himalayan quail for over a
century.
Resources: Substantial funding will be required for this
project; the high profile of the search can be harnessed to
help secure funds.
Project 18. Gorgeted wood-quail
(Odontophorus strophium)
Aims: To identify and survey areas of remnant forest
outside the current range and arrange protection if more
populations are found; to monitor the population within
the Cachalu Wildlife Sanctuary.
Justification: In recent years, the gorgeted wood-quail has
only been recorded from a single area in Colombia – the
Cachalu Wildlife Sanctuary, near Virolín, Santander. Its
known population must be very small, and is feared to be
declining. Forest is being cleared around the edge of
Cachalu, although the reserve itself has been protected
since 1993, and its terrain is such that logging inside the
reserve is unlikely to be widespread.
Project description: As this species is so rare, any small
populations existing outside the protected area should be
identified through survey work in apparently suitable
remaining forest fragments. If populations are found, a
case should be made for immediate gazettement of these
areas. Within the Cachalu Wildlife Sanctuary itself, the
population size should be measured and monitored at
regular intervals, as it is imperative that any declines are
identified very quickly so remedial action can be taken.
Timescale: Survey work could be conducted on a variety of
timescales, but monitoring should continue on a regular
basis for the foreseeable future.
Resources: These will depend on the length and scope of
individual survey expeditions, although long-term funding
for the monitoring work should be sought.
4.5 Projects for Vulnerable species
Project 19. Swamp francolin
(Francolinus gularis)
Aims: To collate and publish existing information on the
biology and conservation status of this species; to produce
and promote a comprehensive recovery plan.
© Lynx Edicions
Justification: The swamp francolin is restricted to tall, wet,
natural grasslands, a habitat that has undergone rapid
decline in both extent and quality in the Indian
Subcontinent. The species has been studied in some detail
in the past few years (Javed 1993, Javed et al. 1999, Peet et
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