1872.] W. T. Blanford— Zoology of SiTchim. 71 



I never noticed this pigeon above about 13,000 feet. Its habits and 

 flight are very similar to those of the common rock pigeon. 



Order — Gallim:. 



Pteroclidcs. 



Stebhaptes Tibetantts, G-ould. — This fine sand-grouse does not occur 

 in Sikkim, but it appears to be found just north of the frontier in Eastern 

 Tibet, and four five birds were presented to us by the Governor of Kam- 

 bajong. They differed from Gould's figure in the Birds of Asiajin having the 

 ferruginous gorget extending completely round the back of the neck, although 

 narrower behind than at the sides. 



In captivity these birds were rather noisy, their double cry being 

 frequently uttered. I succeeded in bringing two to Calcutta alive, but they 

 only survived a few days, although apparently in health when they reached 

 the plains. 



Pliasianidce. 



804 Lophophobtts Impeyantjs, (Latham). — The monal is not a com- 

 mon bird hi Sikkim, it is, however, found throughout the higher parts of the 

 country at a higher elevation than any other species. In September I 

 occasionally saw birds as high as 14,000 and 15,000 feet, above the level of 

 forest. They are very wary, and keep much to the rhodondendron scrub 

 which usually covers the sides of the valleys for some distance above the 

 limits of the pine trees ; I have occasionally seen them feeding in the open 

 towards evening. 



805 Cebiobnis satyea, (L.) — The horned pheasant is always called 

 Monal by the Grkorkas and other Hindustani speaking people of Sikkim. - It 

 -inhabits a lower zone than the true Monal, but I never saw it below 8,000 

 feet in Northern Sikkim. In winter it may descend lower. It appeared to me 

 to be decidedly scarce in the Lachen and Lachung valleys ; far more so than 

 it is on the higher hills around Darjiling, or than we found it to be 

 on the Chola range. 



807 Ithagenis cbuenttts, (Hardwicke). — Not rare on the Chola range, 

 but more common in the pine forests of the Lachung valley. I shot it 

 only in the latter, in September, in flocks of 10 to 15 birds, males and 

 females in about equal proportions, and the young birds of the year in 

 the same plumage as the old ones, but easily distinguished by the ab- 

 sence of spurs on their legs. The old birds had recently moidted and 

 their tails were not full grown. 



All that I saw were hi the pine forests around Yeomatong, where 

 they were tolerably abundant. They rarely take flight even when fired 

 at, but run away and often take refuge on branches of trees. I have shot 

 five or six out of one flock by following them up ; they usually escape up hill, 



