Pea- Fowl. 275 



of this species in the Indo-Burmese 

 countries have not been ascertained, and 

 we do not know with any precision where 

 this and the next species meet. 



The Common Pea-Fowl does not 

 ascend the Himalayas to any great height, 

 2000 feet being the usual limit. In the 

 Nilghiris, however, and other ranges of 

 hills in Southern India, it is met with 

 as high as 5000 feet or even higher. 



This Pea-Fowl by choice frequents 

 hilly and jungly ground, where there 

 is an abundance of water and good cover. 

 In many parts of India, it is protected 

 by the natives, and under these circum- 

 stances becomes very tame. Where not 

 so protected, this bird appears to be as 

 wild as its Burmese ally. I glean the 

 following notes from the many accounts 

 which have been published regarding the 

 habits of this Pea-Fowl. 



Colonel Tickell observes : — " Pea-Fowl 

 roost at night on high trees : the highest 

 they can get in the jungle they inhabit ; 

 but they select the lowest branches for 

 their perch. They are rather late in 

 roosting ; I have heard them flying up to 

 their berths long after sunset, and when 

 the Night Jars had been for some time 

 abroad, flitting over the dusky jungle. 



