THE MOONAL PHEASANTS. 235 



"The females appear at all times much tamer than the 

 males. The latter have one peculiarity not common in birds 

 of this Order : if intent on making a long flight, an old male, 

 after flying a short way, will often cease flapping his wings, and 

 soar along with a trembling vibratory motion at a considerable 

 height in the air, when, particularly if the sun be shining on 

 his brilliant plumage, he appears to great advantage, and cer- 

 tainly looks one of the most magnificent of the Pheasant- 

 tribe. 



" In autumn the Moonal feeds chiefly on a grub or maggot 

 which it finds under the decayed leaves ; at other times on 

 roots, leaves, and young shoots of various shrubs and grasses, 

 acorns, and other seeds and berries. In winter it often feeds 

 in the wheat and barley fields, but does not touch the grain ; 

 roots and maggots seem to be its sole inducement for digging 

 amongst it. At all times and in all seasons it is very assiduous 

 in the operation of digging, and continues at it for hours to- 

 gether. In the higher forests, large open plots occur quite 

 free from trees or underwood, and early in the morning, or 

 towards evening, these may often be seen dotted over with 

 Moonals, all busily engaged at their favourite occupation. 



" The Moonal roosts in the larger forest-trees, but in sum- 

 mer, when near or above their limits, will often roost on the 

 ground on some steep rocky spot. The flesh is considered by 

 some nearly equal to Turkey, and by others as scarcely eatable. 

 In autumn and winter many, particularly females and young 

 birds, are excellent, and scarcely to be surpassed in flavour or 

 delicacy by any of the tribe, while from the end of winter most 

 are found to be the reverse." 



Mr. Hume adds, " Once or twice late in April I have come 

 upon males nautching, with wings drooped, tail cocked and out- 

 spread, and breast almost touching the ground, shivering and 

 quivering spasmodically, and moving backwards and forwards 

 with tiny steps likeTurkey-cocks,but the birds were always off be- 

 fore I could really study the peculiarities of their nuptial dance." 



