INTRODUCTION, 5 
are two species (Pavo eristatus and Pavo javanicus)—are also 
exclusively inhabitants of Iudia and its Archipelago, frequenting 
forests and jungles, especially in hilly and mountainous dis- 
tricts. Large flocks of these Birds, which may be seen in India, 
constitute one of the most gorgeous natural objects that 
zoologically rich region affords. 
Allied to the Pheasants are certain singular Birds, the Trago- 
paus—called Horned Tragopans because a curious fleshy process, 
or “horn,” is placed on either side of the head behind the eye 
(fig. 2). It is of different colours in different species, and can 
be distended and erected, while there is a similarly distensible 
“ wattle ” of different colours on the front of the throat. 

These curious Birds have a more northern range than those 
last before-mentioned. The Tragopans extend from the Hima- 
layas into Southern China. 
Thus all the Birds which most closely resemble the Fow] and 
the Pheasant—all those which have been hitherto noticed— 
are inhabitants of Central or Southern Asia, while not one of 
them is found in Africa. 
But a sufficiently well-known domestic Bird—the Guinea- 
fowl (Numida meleagris)—is of African origin; and at least ten 
other species are to be found in the same Continent (including 
Madagascar, which has two species), but nowhere else in the 
world. The aspect of these creatures is very different from 
that of the Asiatic Birds we have hitherto called attention to. 
