Blood-Pheasants. 229 



run away and often take refuge on branches 

 of trees. I have shot five or six out of 

 one flock by following them up ; they 

 usually escape up hill, and if, as frequently 

 takes place, the flock has been scattered, 

 after a few minutes they commence calling 

 with a peculiar long cry, something like 

 the squeal of a kite. The only other note 

 I heard was a short monosyllabic note of 

 alarm ; I have heard a bird utter this when 

 sitting on a branch within twenty yards of 

 me." He adds that the birds were ex- 

 cellent eating, probably because at the 

 season when he shot them they were not 

 feeding upon pine or juniper. 



Dr. Hooker, as quoted by Dr. Jerdon, 

 remarks : " This, the boldest of the Alpine 

 birds of its kind, frequents the mountain 

 ranges of Nepal and Sikhim, at an eleva- 

 tion varying from 10,000 to 14,000 feet, 

 and is very abundant in many of the 

 valleys, among the forests of Pine (Abies 

 webbiana) and Juniper. It seldom or 

 never crows, but emits a weak cackling 

 noise. When put up, it takes a very short 

 flight and then runs to shelter. During 

 winter it appears to burrow under or in 

 holes amongst the snow, for I have snared 

 it in January in regions thickly covered 

 with snow, at an altitude of 12,000 feet. 



