352 AVES. ^ 



lated spots, which, when spread, give to the bird a most extra- 

 ordinary aspect. It inhabits the mountains of Sumatra, and of 

 some other countries of the south east of Asia. It forms the 

 .genus Argus, Tern., Gallin. 



There is reason to believe that a bird exists in the interior of 

 China, the feathers of whose tail are still more elongated, at- 

 taining a length of four feet, whitish, changing to red on the 

 edges, with numerous tranverse black or maronne lines. It is 

 thought to be figured on some of the Chinese paper hangings. 

 M. Temminck calls it Fhasianus superbusj Gall. II, p. 336. The 



HouppiFEREs, Tem., 



With the naked cheeks common to this genus, have the vertical 

 tail and arched coverts peculiar to the Cock, and feathers on their 

 head which they can erect, forming an aigrette similar to that of the 

 Peacock. The inferior edge of the naked skin on the cheeks, which 

 is salient, supplies the place of wattles. The tarsi are armed with 

 strong spurs. 



Only one species is known; it is from the straits of Sunda, is 

 the size of a Cock, of a brilliant black, with a golden red rump; 

 the two superior tail-coverts yellowish or whitish, the flanks 

 spotted with white or fawn-colour; Phas. igniius, Sh. Nat. 

 Misc., 321; Vieill., Galer., pi. ccvii. The female is brown, 

 finely striped with black above, and dashed with white beneath. 

 She has also a crest. 



Tragopan, Cuv. 



The head of the male most fantastically ornamented; it is almost 

 naked, and behind each eye is a small slender horn; a wattle under 

 the throat susceptible of inflation; the tarsi of both sexes armed with 

 short spurs. 



Only one species is known, a native of the north of India, the 

 Nepaul or Faisan cornu, Buff.; Penelope satyra, Gm. ; Meleagris 

 satyrus, Lath. Edw. 116; Vieill., Galer. 206. As large as a 

 Cock; of a brilliant red, sprinkled with small white tears. 

 The female and the young are of different shades of brown.(l) 

 We should separate from the Pheasants the 



Cryptonyx, Tem. (2) 

 In which the nakedness of the head is confined to the circum- 



(l)The Tragopan of Pliny, lib. x, c. 49, was probably imagined from this bird. 

 (2) Vieillot has changed this name into Liponyx. 



There is a species o( Cryptonyx at Malacca, mentioned by Dussumier, which is 

 black, crestless, and without the papillatcd space about the eye. 



