GAME BIRDS OF INDIA AND ASIA. 53 



and buff ; the lower part of the breast is plain 

 chestnut edged with buff. 



The hen is about two feet long or more, with 

 a tail of over fourteen inches, and a wing of nine. 



This is a well-known bird all through our hills, 

 though somewhat local. With us it occurs from 

 Chamba to Khatmandu, and it is not known 

 outside these limits. It is a bird of moderate ele- 

 vations, ranging between four and ten thousand 

 feet according to seasons ; it is particularly partial 

 to wooded precipices, and very constant to local- 

 ities which suit it. It is a sociable bird, flocks of 

 from five to fifteen being commonly found, except 

 in the breeding-season, and both sexes crow. 

 The note is varied, but generally includes repeti- 

 tions of the bird's name. 



This pheasant is especially a root-eater, and it 

 also feeds on berries, seeds, and insects, but not 

 on leaves and grass. It breeds from April to June, 

 laying up to fourteen eggs of a pale stone colour, 

 usually speckled with brown at the end, and just 

 . over two inches long. The male Cheer has not 

 been seen to show himself off to the female ; but 

 as one we had at the Calcutta Zoo used to assume 

 a slanting posture, with his fine tail spread, when 

 anxious to fight a visitor, I conclude that he was 

 simply following the display habit of his species. 



There now remain typical pheasants, belonging 

 to the same genus as that which includes 

 the well-known bird at home. In this group 

 (Phasianus) both sexes are very similar in form, 

 though they differ absolutely in colour ; but the 

 males are larger than the females, have short sharp 

 spurs, and much longer tails. The tail in both 



