738 GALLUS LAFAYETTII. 



The beautiful South-Indian Jungle-fowl, G. sonnerati, is larger than either of the above species (wing 1O0 inches) and 

 is notable for the extraordinary structure of the hackles and wing-covert feathers, which terminate in a long 

 lanceolate process, of a crisp leaf-like or waxen aspect, and which are of a glistening yellow-red colour. The 

 feathers of the head and neck are very long, and are black with grey edges and bright white shafts, and a cross 

 bar of the same, while at the tip there is a golden transverse spot ; back dark greyish brown, the feathers with 

 o-rey edges and shaft-streaks and mottled with the same colour ; quills brown, with pale edges ; secondaries 

 glossed with green ; longer upper tail-coverts purple and bronze ; underparts grey, with a lanceolate black 

 central streak on each feather, enclosing a white shaft-streak. This is a mere outline description of this species, 

 which, one would think, ought to be found in Ceylon, as it is so common in South India. 



Distribution. — The Jungle-fowl is more or less scattered through the dry jungly districts of the low 

 country, and diffused throughout the hills of the Southern and Central Provinces. It is rather rare in the 

 jungles of the maritime portions of the Western Province and south-western district, and is not common 

 even in the forests of the interior. It is occasionally brought into Colombo and Galle by natives, but very 

 seldom indeed into the former town. During my rambles in the jungles of the Hewagam and Rayigam 

 Korales I never heard its note ; but further inland, in the Three and Four Korales, in Saffragam, and in the 

 Pasdum Korale, I have listened to its well-known cry. Likewise in the hilly jungles of the south-western 

 district I have not met with it near the sea; but I have seen it about Oodogamma, and further up at the base 

 of the ranges it becomes more plentiful. On the eastern slopes of the Morowak Korale, where a drier 

 climate prevails, it finds a more congenial home, and along the Wellaway river and from that eastward it is 

 numerous. In the maritime portions of the south-cast it abounds, delighting in the dense Euphorbia-scruhs 

 along the sea-coast. From this section of country round tbe east coast to the north of the island it is very 

 numerous, and inhabits all the northern forests, extending down the west side as far south as the Kurune- 

 gala district. In the hills it is resident and breeds commonly up to about 5000 feet. On the Nuwara-Elliya 

 plateau and up on the Horton Plains it is very abundant during the north-east monsoon, coming up from lower 

 down on the hills, and probably, to some extent, from the low country, to feed on the berries of the nilloo. 

 It is probable that many remain throughout the year in these uplands; but, as I have only visited the Horton 

 Plains in the cool season, I am unable to say whether it is found in that locality to any extent during the 

 wet season. In February and March, 1868, Captain Bayley of Galle informs me, they bred at the Horton 

 Plains in great numbers. 



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Habits. — This handsome bird, although so very abundant in many parts, is by no means easy to shoot. 

 It dwells entirely in cover, and, though it is fond of frequenting the vicinity of paths and tracks through 

 forest, its sense of hearing is so acute that it removes to a safe distance at the souud of approaching footsteps ; 

 and though it will continue to utter its challenge-cry of " George Joyce," it gradually makes its way off 

 behind some protecting hillock or rise in the ground which shuts out the road or path from its view. The 

 north-eastern forests are well suited to its habits, the ground being covered with dry leaves, which do not 

 decay so soon as in the humid jungles of the south ; and among these, harbouring a multitude of seeds, insects, 

 and grubs, it scratches exactly after the manner of its domestic race. This scratching may often be heard on 

 a still morning at some distance away ; and if the bird be behind a mound or little eminence it can be approached 

 if the sportsman is cautious and makes no noise. 



The Jungle-fowl roosts at a considerable height from the ground, choosing a good-sized branch to perch 

 upon, and up to which it flies at an early hour in the evening ; for the jungle swarms with hostile vermin, 

 and its instinct teaches it to leave terra firma before the shades of evening spread a gloom through the thick 

 forest. At daybreak in the morning they fly down from their roost, and while the cocks challenge each 

 other with loud calls of " George Joyce, George Joyce," every now and then flapping their wings as they 

 walk slowly about, the hens, if they have a brood of chicks to tend, lead them out into open places or into 

 roads, where they scratch surrounded by their family, precisely after the manner of a barn-door fowl ; and so 

 intent are they in thus seeking food for their young, that I have walked down a road to within shot before 

 disturbing them. The cocks are particularly combative in the breeding-season; and when the challenge-note 

 is uttered, if there be another cock within hearing, he replies and flaps his wings, the call is continued, the 

 birds approaching each other, and they will sometimes cross a road in so doing, and thus afford a shot. 



