3 o6 



The Fowl-like Birds 



with buff centers to the feathers and irregular bars and mottlings. The five 

 species are found in the elevated forest regions of the vast Himalayas, occupying 

 much the same situations as the Tragopans, though in addition to the forests 

 it is essential that there be plenty of succulent under vegetation, which serves the 

 double purpose of supplying food and the necessary concealment. The Common 

 Moonal (L. impeyanus] ranges from eastern Afghanistan to western Bhutan, 

 and in suitable situations is an abundant species, frequenting especially the great 

 ridges jutting from the snow, and where in morning and evening, when they 



fyfls 



% -^ .\v 



FIG. 100. Moonal, Lophophorus impeyanus. 



% 



come out to feed, they may be seen in the open glades of the forest and on the 

 green slopes above. In autumn, after the rank vegetation has been killed by 

 the frost, they begin to collect together, and it is or once was not uncommon 

 to find hundreds in a day's walk. They then resort to those parts of the forest 

 where the ground is thickly covered with fallen and decaying leaves, under which 

 they search for grubs and other insects, descending lower and lower as winter sets 

 in, and the surface becomes frozen or covered with snow. It seems doubtful 

 if they pair at all, or if they do, the union is soon dissolved, for after the hen begins 

 to sit the male pays no further attention to her, nor does he assist in the care of 

 the young, and during the remainder of the year flocks are often found that are 

 made up of birds of one sex only. Ordinarily the Moonal roosts in the high 



