PHEASANTS 99 



ornamental plumage developments, even the tail being short 



and rounded. The face is bare and highly colored in the 



males of most of the species, and all have fleshy horns and 



a brilliant dewlap, which are exposed only during display 



before the female. The general color of the males is red or 



brown, interspersed with spots and mottlings of various 



shades, and reticulated with black. The females are all 



rery much alike and difficult to distinguish. 



There are five species of Tragopans, three of which are 



inot uncommon in captivity, although the price asked is al- 



[ways high. These are Cabot, Temminck, and Satyr or 



, Crimson, relatively abundant in the order named. Blyth's 



and Black-headed Tragopans are seen very rarely, the latter 



I never having been brought alive to America. 



All of these birds live well in confinement, requiring no 



[artificial heat. They are largely fruit- and plant-eaters, and 



leir diet in captivity should include soft fruits and berries, 



)lenty of green food and occasional meals of boiled rice. 



'hey also differ from other pheasants in their selection of a 



jite for the nest, which usually is built upon a deserted 



)ird's nest, at some distance from the ground. 



The male Impeyan Pheasant (Lophophorus impe- 

 lanus) is among the most wonderfully colored of living 

 >irds. The surface of the upper body feathers is provided 

 ^ith microscopical prisms, which reflect the light in a flood 

 {of iridescence that is difficult to describe. The head and 

 jpatulate crest are green, the neck bronze and the rest of 

 le upper surface purple, with the exception of a white 

 )atch on the lower back, hidden by the folded wings. All 

 »f these colors have the brilliance of molten metal, scin- 

 tillating with every movement of the bird. The hen is 

 :lothed modestly in mottled brown and black. 



Impeyans are hardy birds and easily catered for, but 

 although generally to be obtained they are always expen- 



IL 



