38 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA AND ASIA. 



exact eastern and western limits are unknown, 

 except that it does not extend to Kumaon. In 

 Sikkim, at all events, it inhabits pine forests, 

 feeding on the shoots of the conifers and on various 

 other leaves, seeds, and fruits. The flavour con- 

 sequently varies, and sometimes it is so strong 

 and unpleasant that the bird is hardly fit to eat 

 at all. 



In such cases the objectionable taste could prob- 

 ably be in great measure removed by " draw- 

 ing " the birds as soon as killed, as no doubt the 

 food they contain taints the meat. 



The young have been seen in May, but beyond 

 this nothing is known of the breeding of the spe- 

 cies. Birds of the year have no spurs, and in 

 older specimens they vary in number, being dif- 

 ferent on each leg ; four on one and five on the 

 other seems to be the maximum. With such 

 saw-like shanks the Blood-Pheasant cock ought 

 to be able to give a good account of himself in a 

 fight ; but in the autumn, at all events, males and 

 females are found associating together in flocks of 

 more than a dozen. The Blood-Pheasant is not 

 a shy bird, and much prefers running to flying ; its 

 call note is a squeal like a kite's, while it has a 

 shorter cry of alarm. It is suspected of burrowing, 

 under the snow in winter like some grouse ; 

 indeed, the short-tailed hill pheasants of the East 

 recall grouse in more ways than one, and evidenth^ 

 take the place of those birds in the economy of 

 nature. 



Only two other species of the present genus are 

 known : — 



