214 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



the aid of dogs. When on the wing, their flight is slow and 

 heavy, and, after going a short distance, they drop again into 

 cover. 



Those met with were generally in coveys of from six to ten, 

 and found at elevations varying from 5,000 to 7.000 feet. 

 When feeding on the fallen grass seeds, they utter a soft Quail- 

 like note, but when separated, after they have been flushed, 

 their call-note is a shrill whistle. 



Captain Hutton says : " During the forenoon they wander 

 up to feed amongst the long grass, to which they obstinately 

 cling, feeding on the fallen seeds, and their presence being 

 made known by their short Quail-like note. They will not 

 come out into the open ground, and in the afternoon they de- 

 scend into sheltered hollows amongst the grass and brush- 

 wood." 



It is no doubt owing to the singularly retiring habits of this 

 bird that so few specimens have as yet been obtained. We have 

 several times tried to induce friends shooting in the neighbour- 

 hood of Masuri to look for and collect specimens, but so far 

 without result, probably, as Mackinnon remarked, because these 

 birds are very small, and involve an immense deal of bother in 

 shooting, and when bagged, prove poor eating ! 



Nest and Eggs. —Nothing is known. 



THE BLOOD PHEASANTS. GENUS ITHAGENES. 



Ithaginis, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1228. 



Type, I. cruentus (Hardwicke). 



Tail composed of fourteen feathers, rather long, about four- 



fifihs of the length of the wing and slightly rounded, the outer 



feathers being somewhat shorter than the middle pair. 



First flight-feather much shorter than the second, which is 

 about equal to the tenth ; fifth rather the longest. 



Bill very short and stout. A large naked patch round the eye. 

 Plumage long and soft. Male with a full crest, and the 

 feathers of the body pointed. 



