180 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



The Blue Eared-pheasant is a resident, and in some places remains all the year 

 within a comparatively limited area. Although the other species of Crossoptilon seem 

 to repair daily to some stream of water, this bird seems less dependent on a regular 

 supply, and in the Ala-shan mountains it is found in certain localities where not a drop 

 of water could be procured. 



It feeds almost exclusively on vegetable matter, and an examination of several crops 

 revealed nothing but the buds and leaves of the barberry, stems and roots of young grass 

 and various kinds of herbs. While feeding it is both graceful and stately, its tail being 

 held straight out and quite high. 



In the late autumn and winter the Eared-pheasants collect in small flocks, several 

 families together, and are occasionally seen in the daytime perching on trees, doubtless 

 feeding on the leaf-buds. During the warmer seasons of the year, on the contrary, they 

 seem never to feed on trees, remaining constantly on the ground, grubbing in the earth 

 for roots and succulent bulbs, and repairing to the branches only at night to roost. 



Early in the spring the pheasants separate into pairs, and at this period the males 

 begin to crow — challenging or calling to their mates. The natives say that the males 

 fight with one another at this time. During the breeding season, the males have no 

 regular crow, uttered at frequent and long-continued intervals, like the common pheasant, 

 but they call only occasionally, rarely at midday or during the day, but generally soon 

 after sunrise, although sometimes before daybreak. In any event the call is rarely 

 heard, and an individual seems to repeat its cry only five or six times altogether. 



The crow is loud and disagreeable, apparently somewhat like the note of a peacock. 

 The voice of the hen is equally harsh and discordant. Peculiar deep notes are 

 sometimes heard, having somewhat the quality of the cooing of doves, and when the 

 Pheasants are startled their cry is like that of a guineafowl. 



When the birds have paired off they keep to that part of the forest where the 

 undergrowth is very dense, and here they make their nests and rear their young. The 

 females are all sitting on eggs about the beginning or middle of May, the number of 

 which, according to many statements of the natives, varies from five to seven. 



Three fresh eggs were obtained by Prjewalsky from a local sportsman in Kansu, 

 which had been taken from the nest after the female was shot. These resemble rather 

 closely the eggs of the common fowl, but are very smooth and of a pale olive-green 

 colour, without any spots. They measure 55 mm. in length, by 41 in breadth. 



After the breeding season is past, the males at once commence moulting and attain 

 their fresh plumage in October. Generally their feathers appear much worn, perhaps 

 due to the constant attrition of the underbrush in which they live. They are in perfect 

 plumage only during the winter and early spring. No young birds have been observed, 

 but the Tanguts say that the chicks are invariably accompanied by both parents. The 

 old as well as the young birds are very rapid runners, and the latter are also very clever 

 at hiding themselves among the thick bushes when pursued. In fact, they depend 

 almost wholly upon their legs, and seldom upon their wings, for means of escape. In 

 describing two new species of titmice, Prjewalsky remarks that their nests are lined 

 with the down feathers of the Blue Eared-pheasant. 



Elliot quotes a letter from Abbe* David relating to this pheasant, as follows : " Like 

 its allies it frequents the woods of the high mountains, living more upon herbs, the 



