SATYR TRAGOPAN 59 



white ocellus expands over much of the terminal portion of the feather and becomes 

 diluted to a pale silvery-grey. On none of the feathers, however, does the buff-and- 

 black basal barring become visible. 



Mandibles black, horn-coloured toward the tips ; irides dark hazel-brown ; legs and 

 toes pale fleshy, becoming dull crimson at the breeding season and paling to a fleshy 

 grey during the autumn and winter ; claws brownish horn ; the chin, upper throat and 

 orbital area (even on the densely feathered portion) purplish blue. The gular wattle 

 or lappet varies from a mere wrinkle to a length of 90 or 100 mm. during the breeding 

 season. It is orange or salmon with transverse blue bars extending laterally inward 

 from the margins. When retracted the blue predominates, the lighter colours being 

 hidden in the wrinkles. The fleshy horns, invisible except during the periods of 

 courtship, are brilliantly blue. Out of season they are about 25 mm. in length, lying 

 inconspicuously among the crown feathers ; when erected they may reach a length of 

 75 or 80 mm. The spurs, averaging 8 or 10 mm., are stout and blunt. The weight 

 of adult males varies from 3 lb. 8 oz. to 4 lb. 10 oz. 



Length, 671-722 (696); expanse, 811-881 (846); bill from nostril, 15-17 (16); wing, 

 253-266 (259) ; tail, 253-344 (298) ; tarsus, 82-95 (88) ; middle toe and claw, 72-79 

 (75) mm. 



Adult Female.— Forehead and crown feathers light-centred, dark-margined, and 

 with the tips more rufous as we proceed backward to the hind nape and neck, which are 

 distinctly rufous. 



From here, posteriorly over the upper plumage, we find a complex mottling with 

 only two characters common to all portions ; a pale buff or whitish central shaft-streak 

 or patch, and a tendency to the formation of two black lateral ocelli near the terminal 

 portion of the feather. Basally, almost all the feathers show a tendency to banding, 

 black and pale rufous wavy crossbars succeeding one another. This pattern obtains 

 on the flight feathers, continues strongly marked and of a warm rufous on the second- 

 aries, but degenerates into mottling on the inner webs of the primaries. The lesser 

 coverts near the bend of the wing are so rich in hue that they become almost crimson. 



On the tail-coverts, while the ocelli are distinct, the shaft-patch has become con- 

 centrated into a very white, very small terminal streak. The rectrices show a number 

 of shaded crossbars of various tones of rufous and warm buff. 



The face, chin and throat are almost uniform yellowish white. The throat and 

 upper breast resemble the dorsal plumage, but posteriorly the white centre increases 

 rapidly in size, and presents the appearance of large, whitish, elongated spots framed in 

 pale yellowish buff. The females show considerable variation among themselves, some 

 darker, some more grey. When the latter colour appears, it is invariably upon the upper 

 back that it is most conspicuous. The iris is brown ; mandibles dusky horn ; feet and 

 legs greyish. Weight about 2 lb. 7 oz. The measurements are : length, 573 ; expanse, 

 741; bill from nostril, 13; wing, 233; tail, 193; tarsus, 66; middle toe and claw, 

 63 mm. 



Natal Down. — The chick may be described in brief as having a rich rufous head, 

 the body very dark rufous above and pale yellow buff below. 



