SPORT IN WESTERN CHINA 125 



the alpine regions of Western China. According to I'Abbe 

 David, a local name for the Monal is " Pei-mu che " (Pae-mou 

 ky) , in consequence of its feeding on these bulbs. Around Tach- 

 ienlu this name is applied to a Pheasant Grouse described below, 

 but it is highly probable that both birds are sometimes known 

 by the same vernacular name. Mr. A. E. Pratt (loc. cit. p. 203) 

 reports that he succeeded in introducing a single specimen of the 

 magnificent Monal to England and handing it over to the 

 Zoological Society, together with several Crossoptilun Hbetanum. 

 In the province of Kweichou the mountains do not approach 

 the snow-line, and in consequence it seems highly probably that 

 I'Abbe David (loc. cit. p. 404) was wrongly informed as to this 

 bird being found there. 



PHEASANT GROUSE 



This fine bird [Tetraophasis szechenyi), commonly called 

 " Pei-mu che " by hunters around Tachienlu, is a denizen of 

 the alpine woodlands between 12,500 to 14,000 feet elevation. 

 West of Tachienlu, towards Litang, and more especially on the 

 slopes of the Rama-lal Pass, it is fairly common, but always in 

 open timber near the upper limits of the forests. It takes wing 

 with the characteristic grouse whirr and swings through the 

 glades at a great speed. The plumage of the adult male is : 

 wings brownish, feathers margined with whitish buff ; throat, 

 chin, and forepart of the neck pale fawn colour ; breast, slate 

 with triangular black spots ; rump, light grey ; tail, greyish- 

 brown, tipped with broad band of white ; wattle side of head, 

 orange-scarlet ; total length, i8Jto 19 inches. Female similar 

 to male, but about half an inch shorter. This is a very heavy 

 bird for its size and most excellent eating. Mr. Zappey, who 

 shot quite a number, considers this the finest for the table of all 

 gallinaceous birds found in Western China. 



In Mupin,a small principality a little to the east-north-east 

 of Tachienlu, I'Abb^ David secured the type of this genus, 

 Tetraophasis obscurus. This species is distinguished from that 

 described above in having the chin, throat, and forepart of 

 the neck dark chestnut colour. In size the two species are 

 very similar. David says the local name is " Yang-ko che," 



