THE CUCKOOS. 153 



cocks — at any rate, I have never seen birds of the two 

 types brought in together, which, one would think, they 

 should be if the colour were merely a sign of sex. 



The Crow-Pheasant is found all over India, Ceylon, and 

 Burma, but does not go any distance up the hills feast- 

 ward it extends to the Malay Islands and China. It is 

 a very common bird in India, and may often be seen 

 by the railway, its red and black plumage conspicuous 

 in its slow heavy flight ; it is usually alone. It is. 

 active both on the gTound and in trees, running well, 

 and hoppmg actively amongst the boughs. It feeds on 

 any small animals it can overpower, insects, small 

 reptiles, and so forth, and holds down its prey with 

 one foot when tearing it. Among other things, it kills 

 snakes, and should on this account be protected 

 although destructive to young game. 



It usually breeds from June to August, but in South 

 India earlier ; the nest is a large round one of leaves, 

 grass, etc., with a hole in the side, and placed in a thick 

 bush or tree. There are usually three eggs, which are 

 chalky white, and nearly an inch and-a-half long. 



The young are easily reared on raw meat, cockroaches, 

 etc. When fledged they will eat practically anything 

 and at any rate the barred ones make very nice pets. 

 One I had used to go about the compound quite at liberty, 

 and would always come to me to have its head scratched, 

 although it violently resented being taken up. Mr. D. 

 Ezra had one recently which he allowed at times to run 

 about his room, when it was as friendly as a dog, and, like 

 one, would sit contentedly at his side, even at night. 



