S46 PHEASANTS FOR COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



will Hettlo on the low limb of a tree, at nu great distance, 

 and once tlu're, it is, like man}' otlier gallinaceous birds, easy 

 of access. 



" Sometimes when approached in open spots it walks off, 

 or begins to run, stopping often and eyeing the intrude)-, till 

 suddenly, and without apparent immediate cause, it will rise 

 with a startling flapping or flutter of the wings, scattering 

 the dead leaves in a shower ai'ouud, and fly headlong int(j the 

 wood Avitli a succession of short, piercing, shrieking whistle-J, 

 which appear to act as a warning to some distant companions, 

 for their calls are often heard in rejily. \Vljen feeding 

 quietly and in security the Monaul has a sweet, mellow call — 

 a long plaintive note — which it utters from time to time, 

 especially of a morning and alter sunset. It has the same 

 melancholy effect on the ear as the creaking whistle of the 

 curlew winging his way along the mudflats as evening settles 

 over the lonely shore. The call has a rather melancholy 

 sound, or it may be that as the shades of a dreary winter's 

 evening begin to close on tlie snow-covered hills around, the 

 cold and cheerless aspect of Nature, with which it seems quite 

 in unison, makes it a]ipear so. 



"The ilonaul breeds towards the (lul of spring. The 

 courtship is carried on in the chesuut and large timber 

 forests before the birds ascend, during the summer heats, 

 towards the regions of perjietual snow. It is generally near 

 the upper limits of these forests, where the trees are dwarfed 

 and sparingly scattered, that the hen lays and inculiates 

 three to Ave eggs, in a depression on the ground. The ctrgs 

 are of a dull cream or pale luiff colour, sprinkled with 

 reddish lirown. Like most gallinaceous birds, the ilonaul 

 may be said to be omnivorous, 'i'liose I have had in eonline- 

 inent ate rice and grain readily, as well as insects, worms, 

 maggots, flesh, lizards, fish, eggs, &c. It is a diligent digger, 

 and the slightly expanded tip of the mandible acts like a hoe 

 or shovel. I had several of these liirds iu an aviary at Mullye, 

 HI Tirhoot. They were str(jng and vigorous as hmi.- as the 



