380 On Birds from Western Szechuen. 



PUCRASIA XANTHOSPILA. 



There is an example of this species in the collection^ but 

 from the abraded condition of its wings and tail it seems to have 

 been a cage-bird. It was brought in by a Thibetan to the 

 camp, 13,000 feet above sea-level, but Mr. Pratt did not meet 

 with it alive. 



ThAUMALEA AMHERSTIiE. 



There are two male Lady Amherst's Pheasants in the col- 

 lection. These handsome birds live amongst the bamboos in 

 the open spaces in the forests from 10,000 to 12,000 feet 

 above the sea. Below the Ichang Gorge this species is re- 

 placed by the Golden Pheasant [Thaumalea picta) . 



^ Phasianus DECOLLATUS. 



Of all the true Pheasants this is perhaps the rarest in 

 collections, but in Ta-chien-lu it is the commonest. Mr. 

 Pratt has brought home two examples, but unfortunately they 

 are to all appearance not quite thoroughbred. A few of the 

 feathers on the hind neck are crossed by a terminal or sub- 

 terminal white band. The type in the Swinhoe collection 

 does not show any trace of white on the neck, but in typical 

 examples of Phasianus torquatus there is a broad band of 

 white completely round the neck, which is broadest on the 

 fore neck. 



Below the Ichang Gorge, Phasianus torquat,us is common, 

 but above its place is taken by P. decollatus. The latter 

 frequents the grassy slopes on the spurs of the mountains up 

 to 9000 feet. In confinement Mr. Pratt observed that it 

 always roosts on the ground. In is found in the brushwood, 

 but avoids the forests. 



Lerwa nivicola. 



There is an example of this species in the collection. It 

 has generally been supposed to live on the heathy moors 

 near the limit of perpetual snow, but Mr. Pratt found it in 

 the forest not more than 5000 feet above the sea. When put 

 up in the open it made for the forest and sought shelter under 

 the rhododendrons. 



