THE BIEDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 429 



they commence running, but if from the top they at once get up. When 

 settUng on the ground they shake their tails several times, just as our 

 Willow-Grouse do. 



Throughout August, and even in the earlier part of September, this 

 species v^as moulting. The Tanguts informed us that the birds got very fat 

 in the autumn, v^^hich, however, we did not observe in those killed at the 

 above season in Tibet. v. 



The range does not extend north beyond Kan-su. 



206. Tetraophasis obscurus, Vieill. 



Elliot^ Monograpli of the Phasianidse^ i. pi. xxi. 

 Cundicky Tanguts. 



We found T. obscurus in the same localities in Kan-su as the preceding 

 species, only at a comparatively lower altitude. It was first discovered by 

 Pere David in Si-chuani, and belongs to the middle mountain-ranges, where 

 it principally keeps to the wooded and bush-covered rocks and ravines. 



Early in spring (about March) they commence pairing ; and from that 

 time their voice can be heard daily : it is similar to that of Crossoptilon 

 auritum^ being, however, more varied and longer-lasting. The male and 

 female call at the same time, running side by side, with the tail erected and 

 wings dropped. The spreading of the tail is very characteristic : it is like a 

 fan when erected. And this is done also when the bird is surprised or runs 

 in order to avoid danger. When open, the tail is brownish-black with 

 a distinctly marked white band. 



Like Crossoptilon auritum, the present species does not call much, and 

 its voice can be heard only from four to five times at certain intervals, but 

 alw^ays (or, rather, usually) in the morning, at sunrise ; and as soon as one 

 pair commences calling, others answer. 



When flushed, T. obscurus utters a loud cry, but does not fly far ; and 



