190 INDIAN SPOKTING BIRDS 



agree to dine in peace. The flesh of this kahj, by the way, 

 although white, is not as good as that of the jungle-fowl ; a cock 

 may weigh about three pounds, but is usually less. Besides 

 insects, they feed on worms, shoots, and grain, for which they 

 will often scratch in horse-dung. They are reported very difficult 

 to tame, but nevertheless the species has often been brought to 

 Europe, and has been during the time of writing represented at 

 the London Zoo. I notice that when frightened the bird raises 

 and spreads out his thin stiff crest horizontally, so that it is very 

 broad and conspicuous. 



The eggs of this bird may be found from March to June; 

 they are warm light brown to pale buff in tint, and strong 

 shelled ; four have been found in a nest, which is made of dry 

 leaves on the ground. 



In the Garo Hills this species is known as Durug or Dirrik. 



Litveated Kalij. 



*Gennceus lineatus. Yit, Burmese. 



The lineated kalij, which closely resembles the purple kalij 

 in size, form, and even the habit of erecting and spreading out 

 the crest, is the most westerly of the group of black-breasted, 

 pencilled-backed pheasants which culminate in the well-known 

 silver pheasant of our aviaries, which is a South Chinese bird. 

 It is generally distributed over hilly country in Burma, and is 

 sometimes called the Burmese silver pheasant, or even, as by 

 Hume, by the very awkward name of " vermicellated " pheasant. 

 " Grey-backed kalij " would really be the best name for it, as it is 

 a typical kalij in size and shape, hen-tailed and narrow-crested, 

 while the most striking point about it is the contrast between its 

 delicate grey upper surface and black crest and under-parts. The 

 pure white along the upper half of the centre tail-feathers is also 

 a striking colour-point, and with the scarlet face, goes to make 

 up a singularly handsome, if quiet-looking bird. 



For comparison with other races it should be noted that the 

 grey of the back is not a solid colour, but made up of very fine 



* Euplocamns on plate. 



