70 Remarks upon the Horned Tragopans. 



energy of Mr. John J. Stone, assisted by the Eev. W. Smyth, 

 and the Baboo Kegrendra Mullick, for obtaining and forward- 

 ing these birds to England. The trouble and expense attending 

 the importation has hitherto prevented many from making the 

 attempt — the above-named gentlemen did not allow these consi- 

 derations to stand in the way ; hence we have for the first time 

 the opportunity of seeing these magnificent birds in all their 

 glory. Notwithstanding the long voyage, the birds had been 

 so well attended, and every care bestowed upon them, that 

 almost as soon as they were liberated from the coops in which 

 they arrived they began to show signs of breeding, and we 

 have now the gratification of being able to say that two small 

 broods have been hatched, and several eggs are now in the 

 process of incubation, showing at least that these birds are 

 easily adapted to their changed condition, and also that they 

 are very likely soon to be acclimatized. It is quite impossible 

 to convey in writing or drawing a very perfect idea of the 

 extraordinary beauty of the living male bird during the short 

 and almost momentary display he makes while courting the 

 female, on account of the vibratory motion of the head and 

 neck, which, of course, render a drawing imperfect, and it is 

 next to impossible to describe these parts and the appearance 

 of the bird in rapid motion. It is therefore necessary, in order 

 to understand it fully, that it must be seen. 



We have reason to believe that these birds are monogamus, 

 resembling the partridge in this respect ; the eggs, however, 

 bear a close resemblance to those of the wood grouse (Caper- 

 caillie), and the young birds when newly hatched are not unlike 

 the chicks of that bird. The wings of these chicks are suffi- 

 ciently developed as soon as they are hatched to enable them to 

 mount to the branches of trees or shrubs, much like the habits 

 of the tree grouse. 



In size the young Tragopan equals a chick of the largest 

 Cochin China fowl (when first hatched) ; its colour is rufous 

 brown, slightly mottled on the back, the wings are marked 

 much like the wings of the female gold pheasant. It is impos- 

 sible to avoid thinking of the large tree grouse (Gapercaillie) 

 when examining these birds; the egg and young, as before 

 stated, strongly resemble, and the habits also of the adult 

 birds, we art' told, arc very similar; for instance, they frequent 

 f/i a lofty trees in the pin* forests in the Himalayan mountains; 

 they are capable of bearing any amount of cold, feed on berries 

 and tender shoots of plants, etc., etc. Their flesh is excellent, 

 therefore this bird appears to be one of the most desirable to 

 introduce, not only on account of its brilliant colour, and its 

 charming markings, but asa groat addition to our table luxuries. 

 It is doubtless a very prolific breeder, and in all probability, if 



