I04 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



commencing below the ear-coverts, is a large patch of Indian red, extending on the 

 sides down to the body pattern and in front as a second complete throat band, 

 beneath the black. 



On the hind neck we find a sudden transition from the black to the typical 

 pattern of the upper parts — a conspicuous rounded spot of buff and two lateral spots 

 of Indian red, all framed in black. This forms the specialized, visible part of the 

 upper plumage, giving the bird the general appearance of being thickly spotted with 

 buff on a black and red background. When the plumage is in exact alignment the 

 pattern is of alternate longitudinal stripes of buff, black, red, and black.' 



Radiating outward from the mid-back to the limit of the pattern on the sides, 

 flank, wing-coverts, and tail-coverts, we find a regularly successive diminution of 

 black and increase of buff, until the entire visible half of the feather is buff with a 

 narrow lateral frame of red. 



On the slightest disturbance of the plumage, however, the generalized median 

 and basal patterns become visible, showing as spots and bars of pure white, orange 

 and buff. A feather from the lower hind neck shows, in addition to the typical 

 terminal markings, four short, transverse bars of white, and a fifth spot at the edge 

 of the disintegrated basal area, while a semicircular band of buff continues the 

 third white bar. This portion of the feather is clearly the unchanged, more ancient, 

 pattern, typical of the female and young male. The warm orange of the small 

 coverts near the bend of the wing is like the crest in hue. 



On the breast we find as abrupt a transition as on the upper parts, but even 

 more extreme, from the uniform deep Indian red of the throat band to a plain pale 

 buff which extends over the entire breast and belly. At the base of the feathers are 

 distinct traces of diluted orange pigment, reminiscent of the red, but on the whole 

 the feathers may be said to be monochrome. This is the most specialized colour of all 

 this genus, exceeding in this respect even the ventral plumage of Blyth's tragopan. 

 Approaching the flanks, thighs and under tail-coverts, the orange increases as a 

 marginal stain and ultimately merges into the typical dorsal pattern. 



The most generalized feathers are, as usual, those of the wings and tail. A hint of 

 the buff and red pattern extends even on to the inner secondaries, but the flight feathers 

 as a whole are similar to those of the female, except that they are whiter, showing less 

 rufous brown. Most of the outer webs of the alulae are clear buffy-orange. 



The tail loses the bufTy markings and mottlings at the tip, a broad terminal black 

 band being thus produced. 



The bare facial area, broad band over the eye, and the chin and throat are clear 

 bright orange, only a shade lighter than the crest feathers. A conspicuous fold of skin 

 forms a median wattle down the centre of the chin and throat. If the breeding season 

 is near there is a thick roll or fold of wrinkled skin along the lower end of the throat 

 wattle — the courtship lappet — which is cobalt blue, changing to green where it touches 

 the black feather band across the upper breast. Both colours show a silvery sheen. 



In a bird in full breeding condition the face, chin and median throat wattle are 

 brilliant orange. The horns are 50 mm. in length and pale blue. The eyelid is violet 

 purple. The throat wattle opens out on the lower throat and forms the whole centre of 

 the lappet or shield. When this organ is extended the orange separates into a reticu- 



