236 cassell's book of birds. 



wards, on the western side of India, at any rate as far as the Vindhean range. On the east it extends 

 through Central India and the Northern Circars, almost to the northern branch of the Godavery. In 

 Central India this fowl is rare, especially towards the west, but it is abundant towards the east, 

 particularly in the Northern Circars. It is found in the Raimahal Hills, as far as the southern bank 

 of the Ganges ; but is seldom seen in the range of hills south of Cashmere, and from thence across 

 the Himalayas to Assam, Silhet, Chittagong, and Burmah. 



The Jungle Fowls are partial to bamboo jungle, but also inhabit lofty forests and dense thickets. 

 " In travelling through a forest country," says Jerdon, " many are always found near the roads, to 

 which they resort to pick up the grain from the droppings of cattle, &c. ; dogs often put them up, 

 when they at once fly on to the nearest trees. When cultivated land is near their haunts they may be 

 seen morning and evening in the fields, often in straggling parties of from ten to twenty." 



The breeding season is from January to July, according to the locality. Their eggs, eight in 

 number, are creamy white, and are often laid in a dense thicket, or under a bamboo clump, the hen 

 occasionally scraping together a few leaves or dried grass to form a nest. After the end of the period 

 of incubation, the hackles fall off the neck of the male, and are replaced by short blackish grey 

 feathers. 



Jerdon tells us that young birds, if kept for a few days, are very excellent for the table, having 



a considerable game flavour. 



THE JUNGLE FOWL OF CEYLON. 



The Jungle Fowl of Ceylon {Gallits Sianleyii). The male of this bea-utiful bird resembles that 

 of the species last described in its general appearance, but has the breast reddish brown, striped with- 

 deep black, moreover, the wing-feathers have no brown patch in their centre. The female closely 

 resembles that of the Galhis Bankiva. " This fowl," says Tennant, " abounds in all the lower parts 

 of the island of Ceylon, but chiefly in the lower range of mountains ; and one of the most vivid 

 memorials associated with my journey through the hills, is its loud, clear cry, which sounds like a 

 person calling ' George Joyce.' At early morning it rises amidst mist and dew, giving life to the 

 scenery that has scarcely yet been touched by the sunlight." This species has never as yet bred 

 or survived in captivity, and no living specimens have been successfully transmitted to Europe. 



THE JAVANESE JUNGLE FOWL. 



The Javanese Jungle Fowl (Galhis furcatns) is even more gorgeously plumed than those of 

 its family already described. The long blunt feathers on the neck are of a deep metallic green, with 

 a narrow border of velvety black ; the long narrow feathers on the upper wing-covers are blackish 

 green, wth bright golden green edges ; the long rump-feathers are blackish green in the centre, 

 bordered with light yellow ; and all the feathers of the tail-covers are of a deep and glossy black. 

 The primary quills are blackish brown ; the secondaries brown, with a narrow, reddish yellow edge to 

 the outer web ; while the real tail-feathers are of a rich glossy metallic green. The eye is light yellow ; 

 the bare face red at its sides, and marked with King's yellow beneath ; the lower part_of the comb 

 is blue, and its apex violet ; the beak is greyish black, with greyish yellow at its base ; the foot is 

 light-blueish grey. 



The female is considerably smaller than her mate, has her face covered with feathers, and is 

 entirely without either comb or lappets on the throat. Her head and throat are greyish brown, the 

 feathers on the mantle golden green, with greyish brown edges, and delicate golden streaks on the 

 shafts. The secondary quills and large wing-covers are glossy dark grey, marked with yellow ; the 

 primaries are greyish brown ; the tail-fealhers brown, shaded with green, and edged with black. The 

 imder side is greyish cream-colour, and the throat white. This beautiful species is a native of Java. 



