HIMALAYAN IMPEYAN PHEASANT 127 



fan-tail in front of the hen, suddenly closed his tail, and then ran away." In this 

 account the audible accompaniments, both instrumental and vocal, are of unusual 

 interest, and probably represent the most extreme vital moment of the courtship. The 

 effect of changed environment is shown by the fact that the exhibition took place on the 

 tenth of January. There seems to be more latitude or unconscious individuality, if I 

 may be permitted the term, among Impeyans in their display than in some others with 

 more mechanical courtships. By this I mean that a certain cock bird will often slur over 

 one detail and accentuate another, while on the whole following out the set scheme of 

 display of his species. 



The performance of one bird which I observed many times never varied, the 

 invariable sequence being as follows. This cock approached the hen with long groping 

 steps, describing wide circles about her, always with the inner wing lowered to such an 

 extent that the feet and legs were completely hidden. The neck was extended and 

 arched, swanlike, the crest thus standing quite erect, the beak pointing down. As he 

 got nearer and more excited he pecked now and then at the ground, elaborately but 

 meaninglessly. Gradually a more and more frontal position was assumed, and the tail 

 began to be the most prominent feature, being raised to a vertical position and spread to 

 its widest extent. At last the cock faced head on, with head and beak to the ground, 

 wings spread, lifted forward and drooped, tail wide and erect, the bird bowing 

 rhythmically forward and back. Finally the bird collapsed suddenly, stood up, settled 

 his feathers, looked about for a moment as if he had awakened from sleep, and began 

 feeding. 



The display is essentially frontal ; that is, while under the excitement of the season 

 of courtship the bird may spread its wings or tail, or ruffle up its plumage as it 

 approaches the hen, and especially on the side toward the demure disturber of his peace 

 of mind ; yet it is not until he is directly facing the hen that the real display takes 

 place. 



Summing up the courtship evolutions of the Impeyan, there seem to be several 

 definite objects to be attained, although it must always be remembered that the action is 

 wholly instinctive : The under parts and larger wing feathers are dull coloured and must 

 be concealed from view ; all the upper parts must be displayed to their utmost, but the 

 copper and bronze-green of the neck and mantle are the pi^ce de resistance and hold the 

 centre of display ; the brilliant head and waving crest and the white dorsal patch must 

 be in evidence, and, finally, the rich monochrome of the tail feathers forming the most 

 admirable background in the world must needs be raised and spread out to their utmost. 

 All this is achieved by the bird inverting itself as much as may be ; bending far 

 downward until its breast almost touches the ground, with the head and neck still 

 erect, the back reared upward, and the tail spread to the fullest extent. The position is 

 not unlike that of the peacock, and like that bird, but unlike the peacock pheasant, the 

 wings are never brought forward, but kept at the sides of the body, and often only 

 partially opened. The feathers of the back and wings are only slightly raised, but the 

 mantle and neck plumage fluff out into a radiating halo of most marvellous beauty, 

 encircling the head and vibrating crest. Words totally fail to convey the glory of an 

 Impeyan at this his supreme moment of life. For this he wears his flaming armour 

 throughout the year, inviting constant attack and death. One cannot help getting 



