528 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV. 



iu different clutches, and occasionally with a chocolate or purplish 

 tint, I have seen no &gg^ with secondary or subsidiary markings, 

 though in some cases the spots may be of two tints, one richer and 

 darker, and one paler and more sepia than red-brown in colour ; 

 in each case, however, the spots are superficial and not sub-surface. 



Variation in the character of the eggs consists almost entirely in 

 the number and size of the markings, and to a slight extent in the 

 depth of their colour. In the majority of eggs the markings are 

 quite small, a few dots and small blotches, but mainly specks and 

 spots, scattered all over the surface of the egg, equally numerously 

 at either end. In some eggs the larger marks are comparatively 

 bigger and more numerous, giving the egg a bolder, brighter look 

 whilst in a few eggs the smaller specks and stipplings are absent or 

 practically so, and, as in these eggs the bolder markings are often 

 of some size, they have quite a handsome appearance. 



I have one clutch taken in Garhwal by Mr. S. L. Whymper, in 

 which the markings consist of scanty but rather bold blotches of 

 purple brown, the surface of each spot looking as if mildewed ; in 

 these eggs some of the blotches, which consist of very regular 

 round spots, ywu up to as much as 4mm. in diameter. 



The surface of the shell is hard and close, but there is little or 

 no gloss. In shape the normal egg is ordinary " hen's egg" siiape 

 sometimes a little compressed and pointed at the smaller end. 



Hume gives the dimensions of 50 eggs as averaging 2-08" 

 (52.Bmm.) by 1.47" (37.omm.), which is rather larger than the 

 average measurements of those I have had pass through my hands, 

 which are only 51.25 x 37.45. The extremes of length he gives as 

 1.85" (47.0mm.) and 2.29" (58.1mm.) and of breadth as 1.39" 

 (35.3mm.) and 1.57" (39-8mm.) 



The series I have seen all come within these extremes, with the 

 exception of two eggs which have measured 40.0mm. in breadth, 

 and the eggs of this Pheasant are, on the whole, even more remark- 

 ably constant in shape and size than they are in colouration. 



The breeding season over the greater part of its range above 

 7,000 ft. commences in the beginning of May and continues until 

 well on into June. On the other hand, at its lowest level, a few 

 birds may be found laying at the end of April. 



The hen-bird is a very close sitter once incubation has commenced, 

 but, unless almost trodden on sneaks away before being discovered 

 as stealthily and silently as a cat. If suddenly disturbed, she goes 

 away with the fluster and noise common to all pheasants under 

 similar circumstances. 



It is almost certain that these Pheasants are monogamous, and 

 the cock-bird may generally be found in the close vicinity of where 

 the hen is sitting, and once the chicks are hatched he shai'es with 

 her the laboiir of looking after and protecting them. 



