I20 Practical Bird-Kkkping. 



selves where there is plenty of cover and shelter from storms. 

 It is a prett)^ sight, when the young begin to perch, to see the 

 parents sitting with the young between them, each spreading a 

 wing over the chicks ; the cock taking his full share of the 

 domestic duties. 



Care must be taken to separate Monal cocks as the breed- 

 ing season approaches. Thej' appear heavy, rather stolid birds, 

 but a strong male will persecute a weaker one with great deter- 

 mination, even in a large enclosure. I once missed one of two 

 Monal cocks which had passed the winter together quite amicably. 

 When we discovered the poor bird, he was several feet up a 

 9-inch drain, in which he had taken refuge ; but he had been 

 sadl}' maltreated and was alread}^ dead. 



A cock Monal once contrived to mount nearly forty feet up 

 in a Beech tree. He was to be seen for quite a week on a con- 

 spicuous dead branch, apparently going through a sort of display 

 performance. Occasionally he would crouch down on the bough 

 and utter the curious twittering whistle which is so strongly out 

 of harmony with the bird's powerful build and sturdy appearance. 

 We never saw him down at feeding times, but no doubt he de- 

 scended occasionally. It reminded me of Wolflf's famous picture 

 of the Capercaillies' display on the pine bough, but I have always 

 considered that our subject is strictly monogamous. 



The cock Monal's ordinar}' display is striking enough. 

 His chestnut tail is spread wide and brought forward rapidly 

 over his back and withdrawn with a curious waving movement, 

 while his wings are lowered so as to expose the white patch on 

 the lower crest. He twists his head sideways and flattens his 

 neck plumage so as to show the glorious metallic lustre to the 

 best advantage. This part of the performance may be at some 

 distance from the hen, who is, however, always visible to him. 

 Presently he will advance towards his mate with a swaggering 

 stride, with crest nodding, finally reaching her side by three 

 or four frog-like leaps, and bends down touching the ground 

 with his beak, with tail still extended to the full, the hen bird 

 all the while, to the eyes of the human observer at all events, 

 appearing utterly unconcerned. 



With regard to the large family of Pheasants and their 



