THE SNOW PHEASANT. 81 



the first burrell I had killed after the rains, 

 and were really good fat mutton. So I kept 

 a haunch for my two captains, and although 

 our cook put it on to roast at ten in the 

 morning, letting it stand at ease when 

 roasted, and then warming it again when 

 we were ready for dinner, it was considered 

 most excellent. 



September 15th.— Went up the hill ; more 

 rain and mist ; no success with the burrell, 

 but fell in with snow pheasants for the first 

 time, — large birds as big as geese. This bird, 

 the largest of the feathered game of the 

 Himalayas, is known by its native name of 

 Jer Moonall ; but why it should be called a 

 pheasant, to which bird it has not the least 

 resemblance, I know not. It is much more 

 like a large partridge. It inhabits exclusively 

 the snowy ranges, or the large spurs from 

 them, which are above the forest limits. 

 Driven down by the snows of winter, they 

 migrate in severe weather to the middle 

 regions, avoiding forest or long grass, which 

 they never enter. When walking they have 



