BLOOD PHEASANT 217 



Crcstlcss or Sclatcr's Monaul. 



Lopliopliorus sclateri. 



Although this fine bird has not yet occurred in Indian limits, 

 it is very likely to be found to do so, since it inhabits the Mishmi 

 Hill, like the Chinese crimson tragopan, now definitely estab- 

 lished as an inhabitant of our Empire. If met with it is 

 extremely easy to recognize, for, m spite of a general resemblance 

 to the common monaul, it has two very marked points of distinc- 

 tion, one at each end — the absence of the crest, combined with a 

 peculiar frizzling of the scalp-plumage, and the white tip to the 

 tail. The white patch on the back also extends right down 

 to the root of the tail, not being separated from it by a dark 

 glossy area as in the common monaul ; and this in the case of a 

 captive bird, which is likely to have a broken tail and probably 

 a damaged scalp as well, will no doubt prove the best distinction. 



The hen bird, since the question of crest does not come in, 

 is naturally more like the hen common monaul, but even in her 

 case there is a clear and easily-seen distinction ; for she also has a 

 white-tipped tail, and if this mark, owing to damage, be not avail- 

 able for recognition, the noticeable light area on the lower back 

 will show a difference from the common monaul's female. 



The first specimen of this bird on record was seen by Jerdon 

 in 1869, and, though it was in bad feather, he, with his great 

 knowledge of birds, divined it was probably a novelty, and 

 proposed the scientific name it now bears. The bird was then 

 living at Shillong, healthy, though in damaged condition ; it 

 ultimately reached the London Zoo. As only a few specimens 

 have turned up since, brought down by Mishmis and Abors to 

 the annual fair at Sadiya, there is hardly anything to say about 

 this bird, one of the most gorgeous in existence. 



Blood Pheasant. 



Ithagenes cruentus. Chilime, Nepalese. 



In spite of his striking plumage of slate-grey, pale-green, and 

 carmine, the cock of our Alpine blood pheasant looks, on the 

 whole, more like a partridge, having a short tail and only 



