DOUBLE-SPOTTED ARGUS PHEASANT 



Argusiamis biptmctatus (Wood) 



Names. — Specific : biptmctatus, Latin, two-spotted. English : Wood's or Double-spotted Argus Pheasant. 



Description. — This species is known only from the portion of a primary feather 

 of a male bird. In 1871 this was found among some loose Argus feathers in the British 

 Museum, described and named by Mr. T. W. Wood. It differs so decidedly from any 

 corresponding feather in the known species that there is little doubt that it represents 

 a new species, although we have no idea of the country in which it lives. 



The general colour is similar to that of an Argus primary, but the reddish-brown 

 band minutely dotted with white specks which is so prominent a characteristic on the 

 inner web of the normal Argus feather is, in this fragment, repeated on the outer web 

 as well. These bands cover much of the segment, and the shaft is unusually narrow and 

 attenuated. 



If this should prove to be an unusual variation, it is interesting to note that it is 

 in the direction of increased complexity of colour and pattern. 



SYNONYMY 



Argus bipunctatus ^Mood, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), VIII. 1871, p. 67 ; Elliot, Monograph Phas. I. 1872, 

 pi. 13. 



Argusianus biptmctatus Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. XXII. 1893, P- 3^6; Grant, Hand-book Game-birds, 

 II. 1897, p. 74; Finn, Game-birds India and Asia, 191 1, p. 44. 



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