2 1 86 THE GAME BIRDS AND RAILS 



cover, by preference in patches of the slender reed-like ringal bamboo, in the neigh- 

 borhood of water. Although always on hills near to, or bordering on the snow, 

 they are never seen among it, and seem to shun it as much as the blood pheasant 

 delights in it." Beavan remarks that " the winter months, when the underwood is 

 not so dense as at other seasons, are the only period of the year at which even na- 

 tives can get at them. The usual plan of capture is by making a hedge of bushes 

 about three feet high, extending down the sides of a hill like the sides of a triangle 

 with the base open. The sides are made to gradually converge until near the apex, 

 where small gaps are left, in each of which a noose is placed. The birds are then 

 slowly driven by men on foot walking in line. ... A curious fact with regard 

 to this mode of capture is, that the proportion of males to females is generally four 

 or five of the former to one of the latter." The nuptial dances of this bird are 

 described by Bartlett, who writes that the " males can only be seen to advantage in 

 the early morning and in the evening, as they conceal themselves during the day; 

 the females, however, are less retiring in their habits. When the male is not ex- 

 cited, the horns lie concealed under two triangular patches of red feathers, their 

 points meeting on the occiput; the large wattle is also concealed or displayed at the 

 will of the bird. The male has three distinct modes of showing off. After walking 

 about rather excitedly, he places himself in front of the female, with the body 

 slightly crouching upon the legs, and the tail bent downward; the head is then 

 violently jerked downward, and the horns and wattle become conspicuous. The 

 wings have a flapping motion, and the bright red patch on them is fully displayed. 

 The whole of the neck appears to be larger than usual during this action, so do also 

 the horns, which, moreover, vibrate with every motion. This scene is concluded 

 by the bird suddenly drawing himself up to his full height, with his wings expanded 

 and quivering, the horns erect, and the wattle fully displayed. The second mode 

 consists of simply erecting all his feathers, and elevating one shoulder, thereby ex- 

 posing a greater surface to view, without, however, showing his headdress. The 

 third mode is by simply standing boldly erect on an elevated perch, giving the head 

 one or two sudden shakes, and causing the horns and wattle to appear for a few 

 moments. ' ' 



Quite unsurpassed among the pheasant tribe for splendor of plum- 

 age, the four species of monal are characterized by the males having 

 most of the upper parts glittering with metallic colors, and the head, except in 

 Sclater's monal (Lophophorus sclateri) , adorned with an elongate crest of racquet- 

 shaped plumes. In place of the crest in the latter species, the crown is covered with 

 beautifully-curled feathers. The haunts of these birds are practically the same as 

 those of the tragopans, that is to say, the highest forest regions of the Himalayas 

 and other Asiatic mountains, vegetation and considerable altitude being essentials to 

 their existence. The male Himalayan monal (L. resplendens} has the crest and 

 head metallic green shot with blue and purple, the back and sides of the neck purple 

 shading into reddish copper and glossed with golden green, the mantle and upper 

 tail coverts shining golden green, the outer wing coverts bluish green, the inner 

 feathers, scapulars, and rump bronzy crimson in some lights, and purple edged with 

 bluish green in others, the lower back snow white, the tail pale chestnut, and the 



