CHAPTEE XXII. 

 The Impeyan Pheasant 



{Lophophorus Impeyanus). 



THE Monaul, or Impeyan Pheasant, is one of the most 

 gorgeous birds ; the wonderful metalHc brilHance of 

 its plumage, " gleaming in purple and gold," never 

 fails to attract the attention of the spectator. In the Zoo- 

 logical Gardens it has bred frequently, but a native of the 

 Himalayas, seldom descending far below the snow-line, and 

 suffering from the heat of summer, is not likely to succeed 

 on the London clay. During the life of my friend, Mr. J. J. 

 Stone, I saw at large on the Welsh hills Impeyan Pheasants 

 as tame as the other poultry, and I have little doubt but that 

 in suitable localities, as in the North of Scotland, this magni- 

 ficent bird might be introduced to advantage either as a 

 domestic or wild bird. 



Should it be thought desirable to try the experiment in 

 any appropriate locality, this can only be done by a considera- 

 tion of their habits in a wild state, and I have therefore great 

 pleasure in quoting the following from the late Colonel Tickell, 

 who was well acquainted with the birds in their natural 

 haunts : 



" The Monaul ranges high in the mountains where it is 

 found, keeping near the line of snow ; and although met with 

 in the ridges next the plains, becomes much more numerous 

 farther in the mountains. It frequents the entire range of 

 the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to Sikhim. Its range in 

 elevation varies according to season, but in the severest winter 

 it does not appear to descend below 6000 feet above sea level. 

 I have seen numbers in Nepal in winter, brought with other 



