viii LIST OF COLOURED PLATES 



Plate XLIX. CHEER PHEASANT Catreus wallichii (Hardwicke) . . Facing page 50 



Painted by L. A. Fuertes. 



Leaving my camp in a deep Garhwal valley, and working up through the soft-needled 

 forest of deodars and spruces, I came suddenly, without warning, upon bare open ground. I 

 pass over a low ridge, and instead of the shaded, densely-wooded slopes, I find rocky, grass- 

 covered ledges dropping down in jagged terraces, and, on the other hand, rising steeply to 

 where the stern profile of the summit is silhouetted against the di^tcy clouds. 



This is the home of the Cheer. Although protectively coloured when crouched in the half- 

 dead grass, they are conspicuous when in full flight. The golden and green sheen of the back 

 and rump at the time of their headlong rush sometimes catches the glint of the sun, and in 

 sudden turns the tail flares out into a streaming cross-barred train, forming a marvellous spot 

 of pattern and colour. 



Plate L. RION CAUCASIAN PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Linne Facing page 80 

 Painted by H. Jones. 



This pheasant, living between the Black and the Caspian Seas, is the type of its entire 

 group, and probably the same bird which was brought by the Romans to England, known 

 commonly as the English or Black-necked Pheasant. It has since been introduced into many 

 parts of Europe, Asia and America, and thrives in almost any temperate climate. In many 

 places it has satisfactorily replaced the indigenous game-birds, which have been driven out by 

 advancing civilization. 



Plate LI. PRINCE OF WALES'S PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus principalis 



Sclater .......... Facing page 88 



Painted by H. Jones. 



This splendid bird lives in southern Turkestan in the great Mero Oasis. In north-western 

 Afghanistan it has been found in tamarisk and grass jungle growing in the bed of the river. 

 It wades and even swims in the water of these marshes, but feeds in the more open, dry 

 country. 



This form has been successfully introduced into England and elsewhere. 



Plate LII. KIRGHIZ MONGOLIAN PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus 77zongolicus 



Brandt ......... Faciftgpage 96 



Painted by H. Jones. 



This splendid northern Ring-neck ranges over an amazing diversity of country in the 

 heart of Asia. They are fast runners and high-flyers and afford magnificent sport on the 

 steppes and sand dunes where they make their home. In the winter the Kirghiz practice 

 falconry with enthusiasm, and their favourite sport is flying goshawks at pheasants. 



Plate LI 1 1. TARIM PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus tarimensis Pleske . Facing page 102 



Painted by H. Jones. 



In the poplar forests along the Tarim River these birds live in covies, depending on 

 berries for food during the hard winters and often compelled to roost on the slight branches 

 of the poplars to avoid their enemies on the ground. Besides the foxes and smaller vermin, 

 they look down from their perch upon troops of wild pig and wild camels, which pad softly 

 over the sand, while overhead flocks of wild geese drive northward almost before the ice breaks 

 from the river and pools. 



Plate LIV. STRAUCH'S PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus strauchi Prjewalski 



Painted by H.Jones. Facing page 106 



On the wooded slopes of the Kansu Mountains, up to the height of a mile and a half 

 above the sea, Strauch's Pheasant makes its home. It varies widely in character of plumage 

 and on the limits of its range approaches the neighbouring forms. From six to twelve eggs 

 are laid, and in these tumbled mountains the pheasants seem to be more strictly monogamous, 

 the cock aiding in the care of the young, than in the great flat plains to the east, where food 

 is more abundant and the birds are so much more numerous. 



