NATURALIST IN INDIA. 85 



fowl, while I sought wilder tracts, in quest of rarer game. 

 Now and then, among the prickly shrubs by the margins of the 

 fields, a covey of ten or twenty bush-quail {Ferdicula asiatica) 

 sprang up with a whirring noise; a black partridge or a 

 kalij pheasant would shoot across the valley. A Himalayan 

 ~ hare (Zeptis macrotus) was killed. This species is larger 

 than the black-necked hare (Z. nigricolUs) of the Indian 

 plains. It is confined to the lesser ranges and sub-Himalayan 

 valleys, and though generally distributed does not seem to 

 be abundant anywhere. Its flesh is more savoury than that 

 of the other species, but in this respect neither can compare 

 with the hare of Europe. The mountain-hare is distinguished 

 from the other by its longer ears, more slender legs, and small 

 feet. The under surface of the tail is rufous. 



In wooded situations, aU over this district of the western 

 ranges, the traveller is struck with the characteristic and ele- 

 gant long-tailed jay (Calocitta sinensis, Linn.) This graceful 

 creature attracts attention not only by the brilliancy of its 

 plumage, but the loud, harsh screams it utters as the traveller 

 approaches — now jerking up its long tail, after the manner of 

 the mag'pie, now garrulously chattering, as though reproaching 

 bim for intruding on its haunts. The moping owl, the chetah, 

 or its more dangerous enemy the tiger-cat, it seldom passes 

 without uttering a volley of abuse. It is usually seen 

 singly, or at most in pairs. The body is about a foot in 

 length, the tail nearly 18 inches, bill and legs bright red ; 

 forehead, cheeks, side of neck, throat and breast, black ; 

 back part of neck white ; back, wings, and tail, sky-blue, 

 deepening towards the rump ; tail composed of twelve feathers, 

 graduating in pairs. The ends of the two longest have their 

 edges turned inwards. Coleopterous insects constitute its 

 favourite food ; but I have often seen it eating a species of 



