LINEATED KALEEGE 55 



This is the utmost that our alphabet will achieve, and if one has listened to a captive 

 kaleege of any species, he will instantly appreciate the attempt. 



When the pheasants are suddenly alarmed so that they take to wing, their outcry is 

 a shrill squeaking, much like rubbing a wet cork on a bottle. This is more recognizable 

 as the syllables Whe-ech-cheech-che-echl 



The most interesting phase of their volubility is when they are feeding quietly 

 together or preening their feathers. On several occasions when I had cached myself 

 with such care that my presence was wholly unknown to the birds, I was able to listen 

 to the intimate conversation of a family. Even my coarse hearing could discover the 

 modulations and inflexions, but to no human ear is given understanding or appreciation 

 of the extent of the ideas or sensations thus conveyed. I remember one bird, busily 

 scratching and feeding, which appeared to be talking wholly to itself. No other was 

 within several yards. As it scratched the mould and leaves it was silent, then, when it 

 began to search for the edible results of its energy, it murmured continuously in a low 

 undertone, which rose and fell, gained in strength and timbre, or actually broke into 

 short, isolated grunts, according to the excitement of the discovery and chase of the 

 insects and other creatures upon which it was feeding. 



While the Lineated is not a stronger flier than others of its family, it rises easily, 

 and is able to continue for a sufficient distance to carry it well beyond ordinary danger. 

 When flushed by the sudden rush of a dog, or an undetected approach of a beater, the 

 bird will shoot across a valley with strong, rapid wing-beats. Whenever possible it 

 directs its flight downhill and scales as much as the force of gravitation will permit. 

 The tail is usually held low, and only when suspicious of danger does the bird draw 

 itself up to full height on its very toes, and search every direction. 



DAILY ROUND OF LIFE 



A night spent in slumber on the branch of a tree ; an early morning drink and 

 search for food ; a midday siesta ; again a feeding period, and in the cool of early 

 evening a leisurely stroll to water, and thence to roost — such is an epitome of the daily 

 life of the Lineated, as well as of most other pheasants. 



These birds are omnivorous, and they seem to thrive equally well on a wholly 

 vegetable diet, or one which embraces only insect and other animal food. They are 

 inveterate scratchers, and to listen for the loud rustling of leaves is one of the commonest 

 modes of detecting their presence. When a family of pheasants is accustomed to haunt 

 any definite portion of jungle, daily inspection of this area will reveal the considerable 

 amount of energy expended in this search for food. If this investigation be carried on 

 at midday, when the birds are resting quietly, there will be little chance of disturbing 

 them or driving them elsewhere. They seem to have favourite spots in the open jungle 

 floor, and day after day will enlarge the borders of this scratched-over area, which is 

 doubtless chosen because of the abundance of some particular food. Another habit, 

 which I have both observed and have had reported to me, is that of scratching around 

 stumps or the trunks of fallen decayed trees, and often the bark itself will be detached in 

 large flakes, probably by strenuous pecks of the bird's bill. 



Nisbett and Payne report that the birds fatten very noticeably when they take to 

 feeding on certain foods, such as when there is an unusually good crop of a small species 



