f 12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI, 



more adopts the attitude of the perch, but now he gradually raises 

 his wings and draws his head back between them, whilst his breast 

 is lowered to the ground, until he eventuall}^ resembles a beautiful 

 fan. This attitude is generally persevered in for a few minutes, after 

 which he draws himself up to his full height, drops, and nearly 

 closes his wings, but keeps the lappet fully extended, and his horns 

 well raised. The termination of the show may be closer intimacy 

 with the hen, but more often, a sudden collapse, after which the cock 

 walks about and feeds quietly until once more excited to action. 



Frequently the display is only partial, and a full display, such as 

 that described is probably rare ; very often during the breeding- 

 season the cock bird merely indulges in a vigorous shake of the 

 head, which appears to let loose the lappet, and to erect the horns 

 for a few seconds ; sometimes this is followed by a partial or a side 

 view display, and less often by the complete performance. 



Anger induces display almost as freely as sexual excitement, but 

 in such cases it is apparently seldom or never complete ; I once 

 watched two rival males in adjoining cages, semi-displaying conti- 

 nually, and varying this performance by racing up and down the 

 side of the cage, and glaring disdain at the other. 



If the natives' accounts are correct, these birds are strictly 

 monogamous, and the male is a most attentive father and husband, 

 but at present very little is known on this point. Mr. D. M. 

 informs me that "alter the eggs are hatched, both cock and hen 

 wander about with their two little chicks, and feed and look 

 after them equally." 



The period of incubation is, I think, 26 to 28 days, but Beebe 

 says from 24 to 28 days, and from his own experience cites 26 

 days as having been the time for a chick to commence cracking its 

 egg prior to emerging. 



General habits. — The Crimson Tragopan may be found any- 

 where between 6,000 and 12,000 feet, according to the time of 

 year, and also the time of day, but as a rule they will not be found 

 wandering much below 8,000 feet, except dui'ing very severe 

 winters. In summer they are usually found between 9,000 feet 

 and 11,000 feet. Both the nests which I have already referred to 

 as having been takenfor me in Cham bi Valley were found at 10,000 

 feet, and the birds were then also breeding at nearly 2,000 feet 

 higher. The limits of height appear to be the limits of the forest 

 line, and as long as there is ample cover of forest or of the common 

 Ringal Bamboo, the Tragopan may be found whatever the elevation. 

 They are essentially birds of thick cover, and apparently never 

 wander about on the higher slopes of grass land upon which both 

 the Monal and the Blood Partridges are so often found. Occasion- 

 ally they may visit the edges of the open land, but they never 

 leave the protection of cover more than for a few j^ards, and at the 



