THE TRUE PHEASANTS. oA 
hastanus dorrandti and P. oxianus, Severtzov, J. f. O. 1875, 
Dp: 225. 
Adult Male.—Easily distinguished from its nearest ally, /. 
shaw?, by having a triangular dark green spot at the extremity 
of each feather of the mantle, back, and rump; the feathers of 
the mantle more zw/dely edged, and those of the chest, breast, 
and flanks very widely tipped with the same colour, ‘The dark 
green on the breast and sides of the body much less extensive. 
motal leneth, 34 inches ; wing, 9°3 ; tail, 19; tarsus, 2:6. 
Adult Female-—Resembles the female of P. shazz, but, as in 
the female of P. principalis, the black spots on the middle of 
the chest and breast-feathers are more strongly marked. Total 
length, 24 inches ; wing, 8°3 ; tail, 12°4; tarsus, 2-4. 
Range.— Valley of the Oxus or Amu-Darya. 
Dr. Severtzov writes :—‘“ My observations on the habits of 
this Pheasant extend from the month of July to the middle of 
October. In July they come out from the jungle every morn- 
ing and evening for the purpose of feeding, and both at sunrise 
and after sunset their screams may be heard in the bushes ; 
but day by day towards the end of that month they are seen 
less and less, and remain more concealed in the thickets. The 
males are now fast moulting, and the females also, but in a less 
degree, the latter being then occupied with their chickens, 
At this time neither males nor females sit on the trees as they 
do later on, but remain always on the ground, and, from the 
footprints in the mud, I opine that at this season of the year 
the moulting Pheasants are actively pursued by the Marsh-Cat 
(Felis chaus). During the night, however, the birds retreat to 
such thickets as render the noiseless approach of their enemy 
impossible. 
‘*The birds, as soon as the moult is ended, gather in small 
flocks, consisting of males, females, and young; some old 
males, however, remain single. This association begins with 
the first days of October, but it is not very strictly kept up. 
