224 



NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



lightning. The males crow at daybreak, or at any sudden noise, like thunder or the 

 report of a gun. The species feeds on leaves, buds, roots, grubs, acorns, seeds, ber- 

 ries, moss, or flowers, and grain, and roosts in trees or on low bushes. It nests at 

 elevations of from 6,000 to 9,000 feet, the breeding-time lasting from April to the 

 middle of June. The nest is a slight depression in the ground, and the eggs, seven 

 to nine in number, are a rich pale buff spotted with deep brownish red. The species 

 is believed to be monogamous. 



The tragopans by which name the members of the genus Ceriornis are known are 

 five in number, and are found in India and China. They are birds of extreme beauty 

 of plumage, presenting hues of the most brilliant reds, browns, buffs, and lustrous 



FIG. 107. Ceriornis satyra, crimson tragopau. 



blacks. The backs and breasts are usually covered with round white spots, like those 

 seen in the Guinea fowl, or else with buff spots of various sizes surrounded with 

 black. A fleshy horn, capable of being erected, and of various colors according to 

 the species, exists on either side of the head ; and on the lower part of the throat is 

 an extensible wattle of brilliant colors, in some species deep blue barred with bright 

 red, or yellow and shining green. When excited the males extend these gular aprons 

 over the breast, producing for a moment a most beautiful effect. The best known of 

 these birds are the Indian crimson tragopan, C. satyra, or the black-headed tragopan, 

 C. melanocephala. They are dwellers of the higher ranges, and are found in summer 

 at heights varying from 8,000 to 11,000 feet, are essentially forest birds, very difficult 



