246 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



"The Kaleege is very pugnacious, and the males have frequent battles. On one occasion I had 

 shot a male, which laj' fluttering on the ground in its death-struggles, when another rushed out of the 

 jungle and attacked it with the greatest fury, though I was standing reloading the gun close by. The 

 male often makes a singular drumming noise with its wings, not unlike the sound produced by 

 shaking a stiff piece of cloth. It is heard only in the pairing season, but whether it is employed to 

 attract the female, or in defiance of his fellows, I cannot say, as I have never seen the birds in the act, 

 though often led to the spot where they were by the sound. It feeds on roots, grubs, insects, seeds, 

 and berries, and the leaves and shoots of shrubs. It is rather difficult to rear in confinement when 





THE KALEEGE, OR BLACK PHEASANT [Eiiplocamus-Galiophasis-melanotus). 



caught old, and the few chicks I have tried have also soon died, though possibly from want of 

 • attention. The Kaleege lays from nine to fourteen eggs — very similar in size to those of the 

 Domestic Hen. They are hatched about the end of May." 



Birds of this species resident in the Zoological Gardens in London have repeatedly bred there. 



THE SILVER PHEASANT. 

 The Silver Pheasant {Nycthemerus argentatus, or Euplocamus nydhemerus) differs from the 

 preceding, which in other respects it closely resembles, in the long ragged crest on its head, and the 

 wedge-like form of its tail. The feathers of the latter are placed in heights, those in the centre 

 curving rather towards the sides than do:vnwards. This magnificent bird is white on the nape and 

 mantle, the feathers of the latter being traced with delicate zigzag black lines. The black under side 

 has a steel-blue lustre, the quills are white, edged and streaked with black ; the tail-feathers are 



