CHAPTER XXII. 



PHEASANTS ADAPTED TO THE AVIARY 

 (CONTINUED). 



THE IMPEYAN PHEASANT {LOPHOPHORUS 

 IMPEYANUS). 



HE Monaul, or Impeyan Pheasant, is one of the 

 most gorgeous birds ; the wonderful metallic 

 brilliance of its plumage, " gleaming in purple and 

 gold/' never fails to attract the attention of the 

 spectator. In the Zoological Gardens it has bred 

 frequently, but a native of the Himalas, seldom descend- 

 ing far below the snow line, and suffering from the heat 

 of summer, is not likely to succeed on the London clay. 

 During the life of my friend, Mr. J. J. Stone, I saw at large 

 on the Welsh Hills Impeyan Pheasants as tame as the other 

 poultry, and I have little doubt but that in suitable localities, 

 as in the North of Scotland, this magnificent bird might be 

 introduced to advantage either as a domestic or wild bird. 



Should it be thought desirable to try the experiment in 

 any appropriate locality, this can only be done by a con- 

 sideration of their habits in a wild state, and I have there- 

 fore great pleasure in quoting the following ftom the late 

 Colonel Tickell, who was well acquainted with the birds in 

 their natural haunts : — 



'' The Monaul ranges high in the mountains where it is 

 found, keeping uear the line of snow; and although met 

 with in the ridges next the plains, becomes much more 

 numerous farther in the mountains. It frequents the entire 



