2i8 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



of four to six years. One observer writes me that the nilloo shrub seeds only once in 

 eleven years, after which it dies down. But this happens in the various districts in 

 different years, hence the possibility of the seed being found ripe at much shorter 

 intervals of time. Whenever this takes place, there is a widespread migration of the 

 birds. They begin to ascend in December, January, and February, and disappear from 

 the hill jungles about June. 



A very general idea obtains in Ceylon that this fruit has the effect of stupefying the 

 birds. A probable explanation is the excessive fattening effect of the nilloo, the birds, 

 after feeding for some time, becoming veritable feathered balls of obesity. This, in 

 many cases, would result in the effect described of the birds becoming sluggish and 

 inert. It is true that the Junglefowl in the Horton Plains and about Nuwara Elliya do 

 become affected, and are sometimes so fat or intoxicated, as the case may be, that they 

 may be knocked down with a stick. One writer tells of several cock Junglefowl, 

 apparently in perfect health, skulking under a bush at one's approach and allowing 

 themselves to be caught in the hand. The bronze-winged doves, which are as fond of 

 the nilloo as are the Junglefowl, never show any similar symptoms. Botanists know of 

 no narcotic properties of this plant, however, and it may be that the birds eat some 

 noxious fungus or other vegetable growth in the woods where the nilloo thrives. The 

 Singhalese also believe that the eating of these berries at this season causes blindness 

 among the Junglefowl. ''About that season of the year," says Bligh, "if village Yowls 

 be brought to the hills they rarely escape a serious eye disease, which rapidly spreads 

 through a given district, and in many cases they become totally blind in two or three 

 weeks. This is the disease which the Junglefowl evidently catch. A dog of mine 

 caught a Junglecock with one eye lost, and apparently from this cause." 



The feeding habits of the birds are the surest indications of their presence, when no 

 vocal utterance gives us a hint of their proximity. This may be purely circumstantial, 

 as their tracks and evidences of scratching along roads or about the nests of white ants, 

 or it may be the actual noise of this latter habit. In the dryer north-eastern forests and 

 the semi-arid coastal regions, the fallen leaves do not decay as soon as in the humid 

 jungles, and among these, harbouring a multitude of insects and seeds, the birds scratch 

 vigorously in the same manner as the domestic fowl. The crackling and rustling 

 of the leaves may be heard at some distance, and forms a very easy way of locating 

 the birds. This by no means, however, ensures an approach within sight, for after 

 every effort which they make, the birds listen intently, and are able to detect the very 

 slightest noise. Many times, after the most careful stalk, I have utterly failed to catch 

 even a glimpse of the bird. Occasionally, aided by an intervening mound and shield of 

 leaves, one is able to watch the author of the noise, as, first with one foot, then the 

 other, he sends leaves and debris flying. 



This feeding begins in the early morning and continues until the heat begins to be 

 oppressive. The birds then retire to the shade of some dense-foliaged tree or under- 

 growth, and either dust themselves, or doze, or strive to rid themselves of ticks and 

 other parasites. This latter is a very important operation, as I shall have occasion later 

 on to show. 



The jungle and the coastal semi-desert regions swarm with hostile creatures, eager 

 for prey such as the Junglefowl, but most of these are nocturnal. So before dusk has 



