THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 383 



and they also cousume grasshoppers, beetles, worms and other similar 

 forms. Shoots of many plants, all grain, bamboo and grass seeds, 

 the ditlerent i'u-i, which are so plentiful in all Indian forests, yams, 

 ginger and other ground roots all contribute at various times to 

 their support. 



They are said to be good lor the table, but rather dry, though 

 tender enough if eaten when killed or if hung for two or three days. 



The males have a short harsh crow which, however, cannot often 

 be used, for most writers make no reference to it, and Gates says 

 that the only s^iind he has heard them utter is a low chuckle fre- 

 quently uttere:!, both when the bird is alarmed and when it is 

 going to roost. 



GENNiEUS LiNEATUS OATESi (Ogilvie-Grant). 

 Oates' iSilvcr Pheasant. 



Gennceus oatesi, Gilve-Grant, Cat. B. M., XXIT., p. 306 (1893); id, 

 Allen's Naturalist's Lib. Game-li., I., p. 276 (189i) ; Oates, Ganie-B , 

 India, I., p. 348 (1898); Gates, Ibis, 1903, p. 103; Ghigi, Mem. Acad. 

 Bologna (6), V., p. 141 (1908). 



Gennceus lineatus caiesi, Stuart B.iker, B. N. H. S. Jour., XXIII., p. 677 

 (1915). 



Vernaadar Names. — Yit (Burmese), Eak (ArraJcan). 



Description. — Aditlt Male. — Similar to Uveatns lineatus, but with 

 the vermiculations on the upper parts slightly bolder and better 

 defined, though imnning across the feather as in that bird, and not 

 followinsr the contour as it does in the more Eastern and Northern 

 forms. There is still a faint indication of the barring on the inimp, 

 thoucfh this diffei-s in extent in different individuals. In a male 

 from Thazi-Thaungi this barring is quite strongly developed, but 

 in the type, which is merely labelled Arrakan, the rump bai-s are 

 very faint, though still sufficiently plain to contrast with the back. 

 The sides of the breast are well streaked with white. 



Colours of the Soft Parts. — Apparently similar to those of the 

 Burmese Silver Pheasant. " The legs are brown or dark flesh colour, 

 and the skin of the face is crimson." (Oates.) 



Meostcrements.—Wmg 9-2" (2,'53-7 mm.); tail 11-G" (294.-6 

 mm.); tarsus 3-35" (85-1 mm.); spur I'O" (25-4 mm.); bill from 

 forehead 1-3" (33-0 ram.) and from gape 1-4" (3G-0 mm.); crest 

 2-2" (55-4 mm.). 



I have only been able to obtain the measurements of three males. 



Adult Female. — Differs from that of harsfieldi in having the whole 

 tail chestnut brown or chestnut rufous, barred in-egularly both above 

 and below with brown. Of the three specimens in the British 

 Museum Collection, two have the rectrices a dull pale chestnut 

 brown, and the third has them a chestnut nifous. In each case the 

 2 



