CHAPTER XIV. 



THE PEACOCK PHEASANT 



(Polyplectron chinquis]. 



The Link between Peacocks and Pheasants Shy 

 Breeders Colours Difficulties of Breeding. 



birds appear to form the link between 

 the peacocks and the pheasants. They are 



JJLr /i natives of Assam ; their habits are shy, and, 

 although they are very handsome, I do not think 

 many will care to keep them. They are shy breeders, 

 laying only two eggs for a brood. In their native 

 state they breed four times a year. Their young, 

 when hatched, follow closely behind the mother, 

 keeping under her tail, which is spread fan-shaped. 



The sexes are very similar. The head is grey, 

 shaded into black ; neck and breast brown, slightly 

 pencilled with black ; throat white ; wings having 

 the point of each feather with an eye of green of 

 a lovely emerald colour, shaded with violet ; back 

 the colour of shoulders and neck. Each feather of 

 the tail has the eye on it, similar to the wings. With 



