THE BIRDS OF INDIA. 223 



lower part of back orange red ; upper part of back deep 

 blackish blue ; shoulders ruddy chestnut ; secondaries and 

 great wing coverts steel blue, quills black, edged wnth 

 reddish yellow. The tail long and arched, black, with a 

 green gloss ; breast and under parts black. 



The female bears a general resemblance to the domestic 

 game hen of the old, rather short-legged type, and looking 

 at her, even more than at her mate, it is impossible not to 

 see that she is the remote ancestress of some of our domesti- 

 cated breeds. 



Sonnerat's Jungle Fowl. — This distinct species is found 

 in the w'ooded districts of India. It is of smaller size than 

 the domesticated fowl, but is very plucky and courageous, 

 for which reason it is often used in its native country as a 

 prize-fighter. 



The formation of the hackles is different from the last; 

 the webs of these and of the upper tail coverts are gre}', 

 but the shafts are orange, and dilate at the centre and tip 

 into flat horny plates of a rich orange tint ; the tips are 

 rounded and not lanceolate. The back and lower portions 

 of the body are dark grey ; the tail is long, arched, and 

 shining with changing colours, purple, gold, and 

 green. 



The female is smaller, brow^n, and destitute of comb or 

 wattles. 



Wood facetiousl}'^ observes that a young cock with a 

 sharp attack of whooping-cough, will, when attempting to 

 crow, give a good idea of the voice of Sonnerat's jungle 

 fowl. 



Horned Tragopan. — This bird is remarkable for the 

 loose pendant skin that proceeds from the base of the 

 lower mandible, and can be inflated at the will of the 

 owner ; there are also two appendages of cornuted form 

 that proceed from behind the eyes, and usually hang down 



