15 



tion of birds of the genera Lophophorus, TetraogalluSf 

 Pucraaia, Catreus, Ceriornis, and Gallophasis. 



The outbreak of the Indian mutiny interrupted the pro- 

 gress of an experiment which had been organized for 

 rearing a second collection of these birds in the country 

 in the year 1858, which would almost certainly have 

 obviated all the difficulties encountered in the first attempt 

 of 1857. 



The results which were obtained last year from the 

 Cheer, three species of Kaleege, and the Impeyan Phea- 

 sants in the Society's Garden, give the most complete 

 confidence as to what would have been the success of such 

 an undertaking. The Birds so reared in their native hills 

 would, without doubt, bear the confinement of the voyage, 

 which proved fatal to so many of the Wild Birds collected 

 in 1857, with comparative impunity. 



The importance of the additions which may thus be 

 effected to the acclimatized Game Birds of Great Britain 

 has been amply proved by the test to which the young 

 Cheers and Kaleeges reared in the Society's Gardens have 

 been subjected during the last winter by the Viscount 

 Hill at Hawkstone, and by other noblemen and gentlemen 

 in other parts of the country. The Birds at Hawkstone 

 have had no artificial shelter whatever, and their only pro- 

 tection has been the evergreens which are growing in an 

 inclosure of about two acres in extent. 



The Impeyan Pheasants have hitherto presented greater 

 difficulties, but by care and attention a sufficient stock has 

 been got up, with the addition of Birds deposited in the 

 care of the Society by Her Majesty the Queen, and by 

 Mr. Clarke of Swakeleys, to give good ground for expect- 

 ing complete success in the present season. This magni- 

 ficent species is well calculated, from its habits and strong 

 constitution, to live even in the coldest parts of the British 

 Islands ; and the four species of Snow Partridge, Tetrao- 

 gallus caucasicus, himalayanus, altaicus,and. tibetanus,which. 

 are equal to the Impeyan in size, are equally certain to 

 flourish under similar conditions, when the Society shall 

 have been able to import them. 



The single representative of the Megapodid^ now 

 contained in the collection, is one of the most desirable 

 contributions of Australia, the Talegalla, or Brush Turkey. 

 In 1853, the weather and other circumstances being fa- 

 vourable, the mound which the Birds annually construct 



