observed in Western China. 409 



All the country north of lat, 27° 45' and west of long. 

 102°, though nominally part of China, is physically and 

 ethnologically Tibetan. 



The Blood-Pheasants are usually found in coveys of from 

 ten to twenty. Their call begins with one very long-drawn 

 wheezy whistle, followed by four that are sharper. 



They run fast and are difficult to flush ; if forced to rise, 

 they soon pitch again. Their plumage must be very strong, 

 as I found several times that when plainly hit while running, 

 with No. 6 shot, they appeared little the worse. I have 

 never seen them at elevations below 11,000 feet, and they 

 seem to keep just below the snow-line, which varies at dif- 

 ferent times of year. They appear to be confined to the forest, 

 and I have never met with them on the bare tops of the 

 ranges : they were common in all parts of the country that 

 were suitable to them, especially along the road from Yerkalo, 

 lat. 29°, long. 99°, north-eastward to the Upper Yangtse. 



Crossoptilon tibetanum (Cat. B. xxii. p. 293). 



These Eared Pheasants, large white birds with dark- 

 coloured tails, were common in the same sort of localities as 

 the Blood-Pheasants. They are found in large coveys and 

 run very fast, scarcely ever flying, while they are so Avary that 

 although I saw a great many I could never get near enough 

 for a shot. Their call is a very loud harsh crow, which can 

 be heard for a mile or two. They keep to high altitudes and 

 are often found in the snow. The furthest south that 1 

 have seen them is a little above lat. 28° to the N.E. of 

 Chung-tien. 



Tetraophasis szechenyii (Cat. B. xxii. p. 103). 



Found in similar localities to those inhabited by the last- 

 mentioned species, but not so commonly; it lives in coveys. 

 The call is a crow like that of the Eared Pheasant, but 

 much less loud and harsh. I have twice heard whole parties 

 crowing together, yet apparently not from alarm, as in both 

 cases they were a long way oft' and had not seen or heard me. 



SER. VIII. — VOL. I. 2e 



