The Game Birds 



OF 



INDIA AND ASIA. 



CHAPTER I. 



Introduction, 



Taken as a whole, no family of birds is of such 

 general utility to mankind as the Phasianidce, 

 belonging to the order of game-birds, the Gallinte 

 (hens) or Rasores (scratchers) of scientists. No 

 less than four species — the fowl, guinea-fowl, turkey 

 and peacock — are domesticated in the full sense 

 of the word, while several species of pheasants are 

 reared artificially for sport or as ornamental birds. 

 In India these birds are of special importance ; 

 the country contains an unusual variety of spe- 

 cies and genera, and the sport they at present yidd 

 could be much improved by better protection given 

 to the birds. For none need assistance in the 

 struggle for existence more than game-birds do ; 

 other animals appreciate their flesh as well as man, 

 and their general habit of breeding on the ground 

 renders them peculiarly liable to fall a prey to 

 terrestrial vermin. Moreover, their limited powers of 



