NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CH1TRAL. SI 



ORDER XIII.— PTEROCLETES. 

 ORDER XIV.— GALLING. 



Sub-order. — Alectropodes. 



Family Phasianidai. 



(1334) Pucrasia macrolopha ( Var. castanea). — The Koklas or 



Pukras Pheasant. 

 This fine pheasant is common on some of the heavily timbered moun- 

 tain sides of Lower Chitral, viz., Pattison, Asreth, and the valley behind 

 Drosh Fort. 



It is generally found above 7,000 feet, but ranges lower in winter. 

 Specimens are very difficult to obtain owing to the dense nature of the 

 ground they keep to. There are probably large numbers of them in Dir 

 and Kafiristan. At the head of the Pattison valley their harsh cry can be 

 continually heard in spring. It is also to be heard in the Asreth Valley. 

 It is the call of the male that has led to the belief that the jungle fowl 

 ( Gallusferrugineus) is to be found in the country. I made a special point 

 of trying, if possible, to find the jungle fowl and have no doubt that none 

 exist. All the camps at which the cry of the jungle fowl is said to have 

 been heard, are far above the limit of elevation to which they are known 

 to extend. It can be easily understood that the cry kok, kok, kok, kokras, 

 or the plain kokras has been mistaken for that of the jungle fowl when 

 heard at any distance. When however the call is once heard near at 

 hand it cannot be possibly confounded with that of G.ferrugineus. 

 (1342) Lophophorus rbfulgens. — The Monal. 

 This beautiful pheasant is common on the wooded ridges of Lower 

 Chitral. In winter they are found at elevations up to 10,000 feet and 

 in summer still higher. 



(1355) Coturnix communis. — The Common or Grey Quail. 

 Passes through the country during the end of April and beginning of 

 May in small numbers. 



A certain number stay in the country and possibly breed. They may, 

 however, be only stragglers who have been unable to continue their 

 migration. 



I saw a pair at the head of the Turikho Valley in July at 14,000 feet. 



(1370) Caccabis chucar. — The Chukor. 

 Very common throughout the year all over the country, ranging in 

 summer up to 12,000 feet and perhaps higher, and in winter 4,000 feet. 



