9392 Notices of Books. 



each other's raovements, and though much wilder are more apt to 

 wait till individually disturbed. When they alight in the trees and 

 are again flushed, the second flight is always a longer one. When 

 repeatedly disturbed by the sportsmen or shikarees, they often take a 

 long flight in the first instance. The seasons also have great influence 

 over them in this respect, as well as in their degree of lameness or 

 wilduess. In spring, when the snow has melted in every part of the 

 forest, and they have little difficulty in procuring an abundance of 

 food, they appear careless about being driven from any particular spot, 

 and often fly a long way ; but in winter, when a sufficiency of food is 

 not easily obtained, they seem more intent on satisfying their hunger, 

 and do not so much heed the appearance of man. The females ap- 

 pear at all times much tamer than the males. The latter have one 

 peculiarity not common in birds of this order : if intent on making a 

 long flight, an old male, after flying a short way, will often cease flap- 

 ping his wings, and soar along with a trembling vibratory motion, at 

 a considerable height in the air, when, particularly if the sun be shining 

 on his brilliant plumage, he appears to great advantage, and certainly 

 looks one of the most magnificent of the pheasant tribe. In autumn 

 the monaul feeds chiefly on a grub or maggot which it finds under 

 the decayed leaves ; at other times on roots, leaves and young shoots 

 of various shrubs and grasses, acorns, and other seeds and berries. In 

 winter it often feeds in the wheat and barley fields, but does not touch 

 the grain ; roots and maggots seem to be its sole inducement for dig- 

 ging amongst it. At all times and in all seasons it is very assiduous 

 in the operation of digging, and continues at it for hours together. 

 In the higher forests large open plots occur quite free from trees or 

 underwood, and early in the morning or towards evening these may 

 often be seen dotted over with monauls, all busily engaged at their 

 favourite occupation. The monaul roosts in the larger forest trees, 

 but in summer, when near or above their limits, will often roost on the 

 ground in some steep rocky spot. The female makes her nest under 

 a small overhanging bush or tuft of grass, and lays five eggs of a dull 

 white, speckled with reddish brown ; the chicks are hatched about the 

 end of May. The flesh is considered by some as nearly equal to tur- 

 key, and by others as scarcely eatable. In autumn and winter many, 

 particularly females and young birds, are excellent, and scarcely to be 

 surpassed in flavour or dehcacy by any of the tribe ; while from the 

 end of winter most are found to be the reverse. They are easily kept 

 in confinement, and I would imagine might, without much difficulty, 

 be naturalized in Europe." — P. 511. 



