Remarks upon the Homed Tragopans. 71 



once established in the northern parts of Great Britain, would 

 multiply rapidly. 



The experiment thus far appears successful, and in every 

 way encouraging. Who knows what may yet be accomplished 

 when we call to mind the gaudy peacock originally brought from, 

 the hot plains of India, and now bred and kept in perfect con- 

 dition in all his native beauty in almost every place in Europe 

 and America ! Look again at the guinea fowl, brought from the 

 hottest parts of Afriea, living and breeding wherever it has 

 been introduced, almost like a wild bird. Many other instances 

 could be pointed out if necessary to show what may be done if 

 the proper means are used, and the right people set about it. 



Mr. T. W. Wood furnishes the following notes from his own 

 observations of these birds in captivity. " The male horned 

 pheasants can only be seen to advantage in the early morning 

 and in the evening, as they conceal themselves during the rest 

 of the day; the females, however, are less retiring in their 

 habits, one or two of them being generally visible at any hour 

 of the day ; this is also the case with two young males, which 

 have not yet assumed their adult plumage. I have no doubt 

 that in thus concealing themselves during the bright daylight, 

 the adult male birds, in their wild state, escape the attacks of 

 enemies, to which they must be much more liable than their 

 companions, on account of their attractive colours. 



" Knowing the birds of this genus to be furnished with orna- 

 mental fleshy appendages to their heads, the form and colours 

 of which cannot be preserved after death, I. was very anxious 

 to observe them in the living subject. The two horns are 

 situated about half an inch behind each eye ; they are about 

 one inch in length, and of a very clear and beautiful light blue 

 colour, with a slight tinge of green in one of the specimens. 

 When the bird is not excited, these horns lie perfectly con- 

 cealed under two triangular patches of red feathers, their points 

 meeting at the occiput. In addition to the horns, there is a 

 large wattle, which is also concealed or displayed at the will of 

 the bird ; it is almost exactly of the shape and size of the 

 human tongue, thin and free at the sides and end, the central 

 part being capable of inflation. This portion, and the naked 

 skin round the eyes, are of a pure ultramarine blue colour ; the 

 outer part on each side is deep red, of a tint between carmine 

 and vermilion, upon which, proceeding from the central blue, 

 are five pointed stripes of pure light blue, their points being 

 directed outwards and slightly downwards ; one of these stripes 

 forms an edging to the basal portion of the wattle, the end of 

 which is also broadly edged with the same light blue, which 

 colour extends upwards for a short distance along the margin, 

 and unites with the two lower blue bands at their ends. 



