I90 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



In appearance the eggs are, of course, like miniature hens' eggs. The shell is smooth 

 and fine of texture, with considerable gloss. Near native villages the shells partake of 

 the character of those of the domestic birds. Usually they are of a pale buff or yellowish 

 cafd au lait colour, sometimes paler, whiter, or again darker. In length they vary from 

 40 to 53 mm. ; and in breadth from 32 to 39. The average Red Junglefowl ^gg 

 measures 46 by 35 mm. 



The period of incubation of Junglefowl is the same as in their domestic descendants, 

 about twenty-one days, and the chicks are strong and very wild, able to leave the nest, 

 to follow the parent and to hide at her command almost as soon as their down is dry. 

 When the eggs of really wild birds are hatched under domestic hens, and the chicks are 

 confined with other fowls, they will accept captivity in the end, and will remain and 

 breed. But they always choose to roost in trees adjacent to or within the village, rather 

 than spend the nights in coops, or on the rafters, or under the floor-beams of the 

 Burmese or Malayan houses. If, however, the chicks are permitted at once to run in the 

 jungle, they will drift away from the hen, and through fear will one by one be lost. 

 Nevertheless, I repeat that it is most interesting that the chicks, or even the adults of 

 real feral Red Junglefowl, unlike the other closely related species of Callus, are sus- 

 ceptible of what is practically domestication in one generation, unlike any other member 

 of the pheasant family. In this it parallels the mallard duck, and to a less extent certain 

 South American birds, such as the trumpeters, cariamas, and chachalacas. These latter, 

 however, refuse to breed in captivity, but within the space of their own life-time become 

 perfectly tame, and accept man as protector and friend while enjoying full liberty at the 

 very edge of their native jungle. 



The call-notes of the chicks and the warning and calls of the hens differ but little 

 from the corresponding utterances of domestic birds. The cock, as far as I know, never 

 goes near the nest, nor does he take any part in incubation, although he is frequently 

 seen in association with the hen when she goes off to feed. When the brood is hatched, 

 or at least when the chicks are a week or more old, the cock is found with them, 

 scratching and helping to find food. This I have verified personally. When' alarmed, 

 however, he is the first to dash away, carrying out the rule of pheasants in general, that 

 susceptibility to suspicion, fear, and flight is in direct relation to the excess of colour or 

 conspicuousness of plumage. When threatened with danger the hen leaves her brood 

 with a single cackle, sharp and incisive, which sends every chick to cover, where they 

 remain motionless until they hear her reassuring notes. I once was fortunate enough 

 to have a hen and her brood of four young pass close beneath the tree in which I was 

 concealed on the watch for fireback pheasants. Some animal of which I could not catch a 

 glimpse rushed suddenly through the ferns near by, and the hen rose and whirred 

 swiftly into the jungle in the opposite direction. By my watch, over twelve minutes 

 passed before the bird reappeared, although after the first rush there was no further hint 

 of danger. Then she came silently, cautiously, picking her way back through the under- 

 brush, strangely enough from the side whence the sound had come, having described a 

 hemicircle in her flight and return. When a few feet away she uttered several low 

 crooning notes, walking slowly, and before she disappeared I made out the forms of 

 several of the little chicks. Where they had been or when they answered her reassuring 

 call, I could not tell. Their markings and colours were perfectly protective ; when 



