FAUNA AND FLORA, RATBURI, PETCHABURI. 135 
some few Kariangs did temporarily quit their homes near by, but a 
Government official arriving, tied new 5 cent pieces round the necks of 
all and sundry and so averted disaster. 
Following the game track, we were attracted by the smell of 
some dead beast, and found, some 10 yards from the path, a black 
leopard lying flat on its back with its neck or its back apparently 
broken. The ground at that point was flat and covered with very tall 
trees, the nearest branches being not less than 80 feet from the ground. 
It appeared to me that the leopard had been chasing langurs in the 
branches overhead and, missing its footing, fell from a great height and 
was killed. here was no wound on the body apparently, though I did 
not long pursue investigations on account of the stench, 
Though shut in by mountains on all sides this valley is more 
open than most, and contains a good deal of secondary growth. 
The Grey Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron thibetanum) was ex- 
ceptionally common, and the call when heard from a great height 
above the valley resembles that of a hoarse goat. Near at hand it is 
“* qua-qua-qua,” 
repeated with lessening intervals until the bird appa- 
rently becomes apoplectic and can only screech. I have been told by 
trustworthy men that the Peacock-pheasant is the “ kaw kaw ”’ bird, 
and that on a sudden clap of thunder a captive bird was actually seen 
uttering this sound. On the crash caused by falling trees or on a clap 
of thunder, this ‘‘kaw kaw” is instantly heard, together with the 
barking of any langurs within hearing, and I have only heard this 
“kaw kaw” in jungle inhabited by the Peacock-pheasant. In the 
higher and darker portions of this valley I first saw the Pittas, and 
also an Orange-headed Ground-Thrush, snared by the feet. Wood 
Partridges also were common and were snared by the coolies, who 
imitate the call with a reed. 
At this point I turned South, ascended to about 600 metres and 
dropped down into the head waters of the Pran river, and following 
down this, arrived at a Karang settlement of four houses. Here I 
obtained the Bronze-winged Dove (Chalcophaps indica) which is by no 
means common in Petchaburi though generally distributed, and I have 
only met them singly, never in small flocks as, according to Oates, they 
are found in Burmah. 
I obtained also the White-breasted Water-hen. The only mammal 
shot was the big black squirrel (Ratufa melanopepla), much more 
