THE BIEDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 385 



194. Phasianus torquatus, Gmel. Fasan kolchatey, 



Elliott, Monograph of the Phasianidse, ii. pi. v. 



We met with this Pheasant north of Gu-bey-key, in Muni-ul, and along 

 the northern bend of the Hoang-ho river. In the former locahty they 

 inhabit the wooded districts, usually in the vicinity of brooks, and do not 

 ascend any mountains beyond 6500 feet above the level of the sea. In the 

 Hoang-ho valley they keep in the thick groves near Chinese fields and 

 habitations, and drink out of rain-pools or wells, there being only very few 

 brooks and rivulets. 



The courtship, in spring, is probably like that of our European 

 Pheasant. 



The calling of the male reminds one of the voice of a young Barn-door 

 Fowl, and is followed by a flapping of the wings ; it can be heard at a verst 

 (two thirds of a mile) distance in clear weather. It usually pairs at the same 

 place, choosing for that purpose the bushes or some little hill, but never a 

 tree. After each call it remains silent for from five to fifteen minutes, accord- 

 ing to the intensity of its excitement and the time of the day. Its calls are 

 loudest and most frequent at sunrise and just before sunset. In spring, the 

 pairing commences in the beginning of April and lasts until the end of June, 

 when the males fight vigorously, just like our Barn-door Fowls, the conqueror 

 pursuing the conquered bird until it is driven ofl^. The hens usually keep 

 close to the cocks, but do not utter any note, and can be seen in the daytime 

 promenading in company with them. At that time these Pheasants are very 

 wild and difficult to approach ; whilst at all other seasons they are most easy 

 to shoot with the aid of a dog or by waiting for them at their drinking-places. 

 They can carry a great deal of shot, and, when hit, sometimes run so quickly 

 on the ground that they cannot be hunted down. 



Immediately the breeding- season is over, the males commence moulting, 

 which lasts until October ; and I have seen some which have lost all their 

 tail-feathers at one time. In summer, we found in Ordos many families 

 of from six to ten specimens, which were very various in size ; and even 



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