420 THE BIEDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 



197. Crossoptilon auritum, Pall. Ushastey Fasan. 



Elliot, Monograph of the Phasianidse, i. pi. xvii. 



The habits of this pecuUar bird, as far as we could observe them, have 

 been already recorded in the first volume (pp. 351-353) of the present work. 

 I will mention here that we met with this Pheasant only in the Kan-su and 

 Ala-shan mountains, the latter forming its northern boundary. The natives 

 know the bird well ; and the Mongols call it " Hara-takia " (or black fowl), 

 the Chinese " Shan-dgi " (or mountain-fowl), and the Tanguts '' Shariama." 

 In both localities these Pheasants inhabit the wooded mountainous regions, 

 and ascend to a height of even 10,000 feet above the sea-level. It is a 

 resident, and remains all the year round in certain places. Water does not 

 seem to be of so much necessity to this bird as it is to other species of the 

 present group; at least, it keeps very often to localities in the Ala-shan 

 mountains where not a drop of water is to be found. 



In autumn and winter they congregate in small flocks, probably 

 in families, but very early in spring separate into pairs, when the males 

 at once commence to crow — i. e. uttering at intervals a loud disagreeable 

 note somewhat resembling the cry of a Peacock. This usually occurs 

 in the morning, but occasionally also during the day. In the beginning 

 of May almost all the females sit on the eggs, the number of which 

 (according to the statements of the natives) varies from five to seven. 



From a local sportsman in Kan-su I obtained three quite fresh eggs, 

 which he took, after having shot the female bird, from the nest. 



The eggs of the present species resemble in shape those of the Barn- 

 door Fow^l, but are very smooth and of a pale olive-grey colour, without any 

 spots ; large diameter 2'''16, small diameter l'^*6— 1''*63. 



After the breeding-season the males at once commence moulting, 

 and attain their fresh plumage only in October again. Generally their 

 feathers very soon get worn, and the birds are in full plumage only for 

 a short time in winter and spring. 



We did not succeed in finding any young ; but the Tanguts informed 



