SATYR TRAGOPAN 57 



Tragopans from Asia to Europe. Between the years 1864 and 1882, Mr- Jamrach 

 imported two thousand three hundred and forty-three impeyans and Satyr Tragopans, 

 about one-third being of the latter species. Of these, one thousand one hundred 

 and eighty-five, or about fifty per cent., died en route. The most interesting thing, 

 however, is the gradual change in mortality, decreasing from year to year as better 

 methods of transportation and feeding were discovered. Beginning with 1865 and 

 ending with 1879, we have the following percentages of birds living to reach their 

 destination: o per cent.; o, 37, o, 40, 8-9, 13-3, 10, 15, 77-5, 87-5, 80, 100, 95 and 

 100 per cent. 



As Temminck's is the tragopan with which I am most familiar, I shall give 

 a more detailed account of the courtship and the captivity of that species. 



I have seen the Satyr Tragopan in only partial display and gladly quote the 

 following account given by Mr. Barnby Smith : " The lateral display of a cock 

 Tragopan in good plumage is interesting ; that is, he presents one side of the head, 

 body, and tail to the hen, and lowers one wing and raises the other until he almost looks 

 like the mere skin of a bird stretched flat on a wall. This pose is constantly assumed 

 during the breeding season (from February onwards), the cock taking up a position 

 about a yard distant from the hen and repeatedly assuming a new position if she 

 moves off. 



"This lateral display, however, is as nothing compared to the frontal display, which 

 I usually notice some three or four times each season. In this case the cock faces 

 the hen (about two or three yards distant) and commences by crouching down slightly, 

 ruffling his feathers and spreading his wings, which are slowly flapped on the ground. 

 The head is nodded repeatedly with increasing speed and the brilliant light blue horns 

 gradually become inflated and extend forward from the black feathers of the head, whilst 

 the bib (or gular wattle), which is also blue with pink side stripes, is gradually let down 

 to its full length. Whilst this is being done the shivering and rustling of the feathers 

 have increased to an alarming extent, the body of the bird has been lowered quite near 

 the ground, the wings are extended sometimes almost to their full width, and the whole 

 business is preceded and accompanied (particularly in the early stages) by a curious noise 

 like the ' clacking ' of two bones together, but how this noise is made I have never 

 found out, though I should much like to know. When the bib has been extended 

 to full length for a few moments the bird gathers himself together, moves forward 

 about a yard, draws himself up to his full height (and it is surprising how high he can 

 reach), keeps the bib fully extended in front of the hen for one moment, and then, within 

 half-a-minute, horns and bib have entirely vanished and the cock is strolling about 

 pecking grass, as if nothing unusual had happened. 



" I am afraid anything I can say will quite fail to give an adequate idea of the 

 extraordinary aspect of the bird whilst the display is at its height — indeed, I think 

 any one coming suddenly upon the spectacle would scarcely believe they were looking 

 at a bird, the spectacle is so demoniacal. 



"So much for the conduct of the cock; but, I think, if carefully considered, 

 the. conduct of the hen is even more curious, or perhaps I should say more 

 inexplicable, for she seems absolutely lacking in interest as to the display of the 

 cock." 



