42 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA AND ASIA. 



than the male's. Her general appearance some- 

 what suggests both a fowl and a turkey. 



In our empire this bird is only found in the 

 extreme south of Tenasserim, but it inhabits the 

 Malay Peninsula general! \^ as well as Sumatra and 

 the Laos mountains in Siam. It is a true jungle 

 bird, confined to evergreen forest, and hardly ever 

 seen, as it is very wary and a great skulker. There 

 appears to be no regular breeding season, nor do 

 the birds associate in pairs or families. The hens 

 wander about casually, and the males remain 

 near clearings, which each makes for himself, 

 picking all the weeds, leaves, etc., off an area a 

 few yards square. In this he generally lives, 

 roosting at night on a tree dose by, and going out 

 to feed on fallen fruit and insects. 



Here, too, he is too frequently captured by 

 various poaching devices in the way of snares and 

 deadfalls, for there is a considerable demand for 

 his beautiful plumage. A good many birds also 

 seem to be taken alive : they are very quiet and 

 easy to tame. 



It is in his arena, presumably, that the cock 

 displays himself to the hen, for he has a most 

 remarkable and elaborate display, which requires 

 a good deal of space. This has frequently been 

 witnessed in captivity; ajid I have seen it more 

 than once myself. The cock, when at full show, 

 spreads his wings to their fullest extent, at the 

 same time bringing them down in front till thej' 

 meet before his head, while behind they are ele- 

 vated so as almost to meet in front of the raised 

 spread tail, the whole effect being of a great, paint- 

 ed, almost vertical screen or fan, hiding the head 

 and body completely. The bird, however, which 



