499 



217. EUPLOCAMUS ALBOCRISTATUS (Vigors). 



Called Kallege, Kookera, Meerghee, by the natives. E. melanotus, 

 Blyth, comes very close to this bird, but has not the white mark- 

 ings on the crest and back ; yet the species is subject to variety ; so 

 much so, that it is questionable if Blyth' s bird is a distinct species. 

 Abundant on the ranges around Simla ; not common on the Cash- 

 mere Ranges. This is the most common and widely distributed 

 of all the Pheasants on the Western Himalayan Ranges. Unlike 

 any of the other species, it is found from the Sewalik Range to the 

 limits of forest. The average weight of the male is about 3 lbs. ; 

 the female about 2\ lbs. ; young birds of the first year from 1^ to 

 \\ lb. The plumage of the young is like that of the female until 

 the first moult. When a Kallege Pheasant is flushed, it utters a 

 succession of short calls like the word " pink ; " that of the young 

 bird is harsher, and resembles the call of the P. wallichii, for which 

 it is often mistaken. They spend the day in dense jungles, perch- 

 ing on trees at night, to which they often betake themselves when 

 flushed. Their flight is strong and rapid ; when on the ground, the 

 male walks with the tail half erect, and spreading. The food con- 

 sists of soft roots, acorns, &c. ; the former they dig up with their 

 bills, shuffling the earth with their feet like the domestic fowl. They 

 run with great rapidity, and are very cunning : when roosting, they 

 secrete themselves among the thickest foliage, and will not stir 

 even when the sportsman may be within a few yards. Among their 

 winged enemies are the Lammergeiers, Aq. ncevia, &c. The Pine 

 Martin (Martes fiavigula, Bodd.) preys on the species, and eats its 

 eggs ; the latter are white, and about the size of the Bantams. 



218. Catreus wallichii (Hardwicke). 

 Native names : Cheer, Booinchil, Herril. 



Frequents the lower and intermediate regions of the Western 

 Himalayas ; is seldom found at very high elevations. A wary bird, 

 cunning and vigilant, its favourite resorts are grassy hills, with 

 scattered forests of oak or underwood : generally found in flocks of 

 from four to twelve. They run fast, and when disturbed secrete 

 themselves among grass, or take to trees, and keep so quiet that 

 the sportsman may approach within a few yards ; they are sometimes 

 even knocked off their perch with a stick. The call-note or crow 

 resembles the words " chir a pir, chir a pir, chir, chir, chirwa chir, 

 chirwa." The food consists of grubs, insects, seeds and berries ; I 

 never found any grass or leaves in their gizzards. It is easily reared; 

 but it seems doubtful if the species would stand the climate of Britain. 

 The female makes her nest in the grass, or among low brushwood, 

 and lays from 9 to 12 eggs of a dull white : the young are hatched 

 about the end of May. The flight of this species is neither strong 

 nor rapid ; when roused, it utters a few loud cries, and flies only a 

 short distance : the beautiful feathers of the tail are spread out du- 

 ring flight. 



