THE TRUE PHEASANTS. 21 



Phasianus dorrandii ^nd P. oxianns, Sevcitzov, J. f. O. 1875, 

 p. 225. 

 Adult Male. — Easily distinguished from its nearest ally, P. 

 shawi, by having a triangular dark green spot at the extremity 

 of each feather of the mantle, back, and rump; the feathers of 

 the mantle more widely edged, and those of the chest, breast, 

 and flanks very widely tipped ivilli the same colour. The dark 

 green on the breast and sides of the body much less extensive. 

 Total length, 34 inches ; wing, 9*3 ; tail, 19 ; tarsus, 28. 



Adult Female. — Resembles the female of P. shaiui, but, as in 

 the female oi P. principalis^ the black spots on the middle of 

 the chest and breast-feathers are more strongly marked. Total 

 length, 24 inches; wing, 8'3 ; tail, i2"4; tarsus, 2"4. 



Range. — Valley of the Oxus or Amu-Darya. 



Dr. Severtzov writes : — " My observations on the habits of 

 this Pheasant extend from the month of July to the middle of 

 October. In July they come out from the jungle every morn- 

 ing and evening for the purpose of feeding, and both at sunrise 

 and after sunset their screams may be heard in the bushes ; 

 but day by day towards the end of that month they are seen 

 less and less, and remain more concealed in the thickets. The 

 males are now fast moulting, and the females also, but in a less 

 degree, the latter being then occupied with their chickens. 

 At this time neither males nor females sit on the trees as they 

 do later on, but remain always on the ground, and, from the 

 footprints in the mud, I opine that at this season of the year 

 the moulting Pheasants are actively pursued by the Marsh-Cat 

 {Fells chaus). During the night, however, the birds retreat to 

 such thickets as render the noiseless approach of their enemy 

 impossible. 



"The birds, as soon as the moult is ended, gather in small 

 flocks, consisting of males, females, and young ; some old 

 males, however, remain single. This association begins with 

 the first days of October, but it is not very strictly kept up. 



