18 



Fancy Pheasants. 



lifted, their operations would probably be found of 

 great use. 



la the treatment of both old and young their taste 

 for grubs and raw vegetable food should always be 

 borne in mind, and plenty of maggots, chopped onions, 

 potatoes, etc., provided, with a full allowance of custard 

 for chicks. 



I sincerely hope that the Monaul will be taken up as 

 a real domestic bird, for few present so many good 

 points. Although his form cannot be called graceful, 

 his carriage is upright and dignified, and his glittering 

 splendour puts even the Peacock to shame. Moreover, 

 he is excellent eating, and carries a great deal of meat, 

 being of an ideal build for a table bird. Add to this 

 that he has a mellow pla'ntive call — a very rare attri- 

 bute in this family— and an unusually good temper, and 

 his list of virtues becomes one that any candidate for 

 domestication might envy. 



I had almost forgotten to mention the very striking 

 courting attitude of this bird. This somewhat 

 resembles that of the Turkey-cock, the head being bent 

 down on the neck, the wings opened, and the tail raised 

 and spread ; but the feathers lie close, and do not 

 bristle like the Turkey's. In this position, with gold, 

 copper, silver, and steel all glittering on his plumage, 

 the Monaul minces and even hops about for the edifica- 

 tion of his hen, who appears to appreciate his eflbrts, 

 as she has been seen to call him from his meal 

 apparently only for the purpose of making him display. 



Only three other species of Monaul are known, as I 

 remarked above, and I think one of these is very 

 doubtful. This is the Bronze-backed Monaul (Lopho- 

 phonis impeyanus), which is only known by a few skins 

 of cocks which have been procured in the little State of 



Chamba, in South Cashmere. In form and size it 

 resembles the common species, but has the lower back 

 greenish bronze instead of white, and the under-surfaoe 

 of the body glossy green instead of black. It seems that 

 the Chamba shikaris or native hunters say that this bird 

 is merely a " sport " from the ordinaiy kind, and as the 

 Monaul is known to vary in colour, like so many Phea- 

 sants, I think they are ijrobably right. 



The other two species, however, are very distinct; 

 both have been exhibited atthe London Zoo.but they are 

 very rare in captivity. One is L'Huys's Monaul (Lopho- 

 phorus I'huysu), frgta Western Szeehuen and Eastern 

 Koko-nor ; this is a larger and finer bii'd than the ordin- 

 ary species, having more of the red and gold tints in its 

 plumage, and much of the tail glossy purple and green ; 

 the crest is of ordinary feathers. The hen has a white 

 back, and is thus easily distinguishable from the common 

 Monaul hen, though the cock shows little white in this 

 part. I well remember seeing this bird in the Zoo years 

 ago. 



The last species, Sclater's Monaul (Lophophorus 

 sdateri) is about the size of the common bird, but less 

 handsome, having a rather coarse head, with no crest, 

 but instead a covering of short curly metallic purple and 

 green feathers ; the white on the rump extends riglit 

 down to the root of the tail, which is also tipped with 

 white. This part in the hen is cVeam-oolour finely 

 pencilled with dark brown, maUing her readily distin- 

 guishable from the hens of the other species. 



This bird conies from the hills east and south- east 

 ofSadiya in North-East Assam; the first specimen 

 came from the Mishmi Hills, and was presented to the 

 London Zoo by the late Dr. Jerdon, so well known as a 

 naturalist by his work on Indian birds and beasts. 

 When the natives of these hills can be weaned of their 

 objectionable custom of head-hunting, no doubt this 

 Monaul, and probably other fine birds also, can be 

 expected to become more accessible. Meanwhile I 

 would invite the attention of fanciers who want to rear 

 high class and beautiful birds, but are deterred by a 

 cold and bleak situation, to his commoner and more 

 beautiful rival, which is almost the most brilliant bird 

 in the world. 



Apgus Pheasants, 



