Past Importations of Indian Pheasants. 157


MR. W. JAMRACH'S PAST IMPORTA¬

TIONS OF INDIAN PHEASANTS.


(Translated from the French by H. D. Astley).


{Continued from page 128).


In 1881, I received 20 pairs of Impeyan Pheasants, 7 pairs

of Tragopans ( Satyra ), 18 Polyplectron chinquis, 9 Euplocamus

erythrophthalmus, 7 Argus and 2 hen Elliot’s Pheasants. During

the snowy season the number of the birds captured was very meagre,

but on the other hand the voyage was very successful, for not one

of the Impeyan Pheasants and Tragopans succumbed.


In 1882, I left Calcutta with 43 pairs of Impeyan Pheasants,

18 Tragopans (Satyra), one male Elliot Pheasant, six Vieillots’

Euplocamus, four E. ignitus, three male Polyplectron bicalcaratum,

one Polyplectron chinquis, three pairs of Euplocamus pyronotus. On

the voyage I only lost four Impeyans, four Tragopans and the one

Polyplectron chinquis (Peacock Pheasant). I sent my man into the

Naga mountains, and he arrived in England two months after I did,

with two males and 3 females of Blyth’s Tragopan ; later a fourth

female arrived, which had been left ill at Calcutta. He also brought

one pair of Cabot’s Tragopan, of which only the male survived, and

is at this moment (1882) in the London Zoological Gardens; by

this same catcher I also received 13 pairs of Polyplectron chinquis,

and one male and two female Argus Pheasants. As one can see

from what I have already written, after the opening of the Suez

Canal my importations were more successful. I need hardly say

that we had absolutely given up the route via the Cape of Good

Hope, which had ended in such poor results. All the birds I

imported into Europe were sold, but at varying prices. For a large

number of the Impeyan Pheasants (Monauls) I accepted £100 a pair,

but for some of the species I obtained £130 a couple. The Trago¬

pans often fetched more than £100 a pair.


Now (ie. 1882) it is very difficult to procure Impeyans and

Tragopans in India, since the Government has forbidden their being

captured or shot for a period of five years.


The capture of the birds is by no means an easy task, and

furthermore it is difficult to bring them to Calcutta.



