no A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



black ; lower back bluish-slate, tail broadly barred, sides of 

 upper tail-coverts light chestnut ; length about 32 to 34 inches 

 tip to tip. The more broadly-barred tail-feathers, absence 

 of white eyebrows, and the usual absence of the white neck- 

 ring distinguish this bird from the common " Ring-neck." 



If the Pheasant of the plains is notoriously cunning, his 

 confrere of the mountains is equally so, and the nature of his 

 haunts aids him considerably in escaping his enemies. A 

 common habit when hunted is for him to work his way quickly 

 to the top of a steep hill and take wing on the crest. A study 

 of his habits is necessary before much success attends one's 

 efforts at shooting this Pheasant. The haunt of this mountain 

 bird is the woods, copses, and scrub-clad mountain-sides, but 

 he is seldom found in quantity other than in close proximity to 

 cultivation. Just how far west this bird ranges I do not 

 know, but he has not yet been authentically recorded west of 

 the eastern limits of the Red Basin. His headquarters is 

 undoubtedly western Hupeh and southern Shensi. His 

 altitudinal range in this region is only limited by cultivation. 

 In the mountains a favourite food of this bird is the fruit of 

 many Rosaceous shrubs, particularly that of Cotoneaster. 

 Scrub Oak retaining its warm brown foliage through the winter 

 is general throughout this region, and is in winter a favourite 

 haunt of this bird. In heavy snow he seeks the forest, 

 especially that composed of evergreen trees. 



This Pheasant is strong on the wing and capable of carrying 

 away a lot of shot. Much of the shooting in mountainous 

 country is snap-shooting, and one's powder should " hit hard" 

 or the bird is round the corner out of sight, and probably lost. 

 Shooting this mountain bird is much finer sport than that 

 afforded by the plains species. Every bird secured in the 

 mountains is earned, and this combined with the bracing air 

 gives additional zest and pleasure to the sport. I have spent 

 some very pleasant days after this bird, and though I have 

 never made a big bag I have enjoyed some enviable sport. 



Around Ichang, where this Pheasant occurs in sparse 

 and ever-decreasing numbers, the hills are covered with a 

 "Spear grass" {Heteropogon contortus), called " Hung-tsao " 

 by the Chinese. The seeds of this annoying grass are barbed, 



