NATURALIST IN INDIA. 181 



On a range, and close tp the melting snow, we came on 

 several flocks of the great snow-pheasant, known to the Cash- 

 merees by the names gor-ka-gu, and huhuk deri. It is also 

 called "lepia" and "jer monal" in other districts westward. 

 This species seems to frequent the high ranges of Afghanistan, 

 and suitahle situations all over the great Himalayan chain. 

 There are three allied species, one of which is possibly only 

 a local variety {Tetraogallus tihetanus) ; the other two are 

 decidedly distinct. One of the latter is said to frequent the 

 Ladakh mountains ; it is smaller than the bird we are now 

 describing, and has a band on the front of the neck Kke the 

 chuckore. The great snow-pheasant delights in high alti- 

 tudes, and may be said to be partial to the upper region, 

 from whence it is only driven by the rigours of winter. Amidst 

 the dreary desolation of these arctic heights its plaintive 

 whistle is often the only symptom of animated nature. The 

 ash colour of the plumage is so like surrounding objects that 

 I have often found great difBculty in discovering individuals. 

 The call, however, is loud and prolonged, and may serve to 

 fix the position of a flock which otherwise would remain un- 

 noticed. Commencing with a few short calls, the notes get 

 rapidly prolonged, much in these words " whoo, vM wMt whXt, 

 wit wit weeU weeU wee" continued at intervals of a few 

 minutes. In hunting the gorkagu the best way is to ap- 

 proach a flock from below, and fire the first shot when they 

 are on the ground, when the chances are, that all will 

 fly downwards, as they almost invariably do when near the 

 mountain's top. In general appearance and gait on the 

 ground, this bird has a resemblance to a large gray goose. 

 Tender leaves and stalks of the alpine primroses, fresh shoots 

 of grass, and other plants, constitute the favourite food of this 

 species. Its flesh is not weU-flavoured. I have often seen 



