In its Native Forests. 249 



kinds of pheasants by the Botias for sale in the plains of 

 India, where they soon perish when the hot weather begins. 



" They are forest birds, and difficult to be found in summer 

 when vegetation is profuse, unless by ascending to the highest 

 limits of the forest, when shots may be obtained in the open 

 downs above, and amongst the rocks and thin herbage near the 

 snow. In autumn, as the underwood decays, they descend 

 and scatter through the woods, sometimes in great numbers, 

 and seek lower levels as the winter advances and the soil 

 becomes frozen. At such times they draw near to the small 

 villages, perched on the lower spurs and above the sheltered 

 valleys, and seek their food in the fields, where the moun- 

 taineers with their large hoes have dug up the soil. In these 

 seasonal migrations it has been remarked that the females and 

 young birds descend lowest and approach nearest to human 

 habitations. 



" They appear to be either capricious in their rambles 

 through the woods, or are attracted to particular spots at 

 particular times for reasons not apparent. Sometimes the 

 sportsman will put up in one part of the forest fifteen or 

 twenty in the space of four or five acres. In another portion 

 he may keep on flushing for the rest of the day single birds, 

 feeding in solitude, far apart. At no time are they gregarious, 

 and whenever alarmed they rise and escape independently of 

 each other. In some parts only cock birds are found, in others 

 only hens. 



" Severity of cold and scarceness of food have their taming 

 effect on the Monaul, as on other birds, and the lower the snow 

 the easier the task of making a bag. When on the wing, it 

 generally flies a long way, and if much alarmed crosses over 

 to a parallel ridge. Occasionally, however, it will settle on 

 the low limb of a tree, at no great distance, and once there, 

 it is, like many other gallinaceous birds, easy of access. 



" Sometimes when approached in open spots it walks off, 

 or begins to run, stopping often and eyeing the intruder, till 

 suddenly, and without apparent immediate cause, it will rise 



