BLUE EARED-PHEASANT 181 



leaves of trees, and succulent roots than upon grain ; its nature is gentle and sociable ; 

 it loves to go in large flocks, like the White Crossoptilon of Tibet and the one from 

 Pekin. It does not migrate, but passes the greater part of the winter lower down the 

 mountains. Like the Crossoptilon from Pekin, which disappears on the destruction 

 of the woods, the Blue Crossoptilon is diminishing rapidly from the chase carried on 

 by the mountaineers (called mauze) in order to obtain the beautiful central feathers 

 of the tail, with long webs and metallic colours, which are sold to the Chinese, whose 

 military chiefs wear them as ornaments suspended from their hats." 



An excellent observer, who has spent many years in the haunts of the Blue Eared- 

 pheasant, tells me it lives at elevations of eight to thirteen thousand feet in pine, larch, 

 cedar and birch forest, where there is a good deal of undergrowth. From here it 

 frequently wanders out on to grassy slopes to feed, and, contrary to the observation 

 of Prjewalsky, very regularly goes to streams in the side ravines or gorges to drink. 

 Whenever it happens to come upon cultivated patches at high levels it will readily eat 

 the grain, whether oats, buckwheat, corn, wheat, barley, beans or peas. It never causes 

 any great injury, but is content with the fallen grains, and only too often pays for such 

 a feast with its life. The birds feed usually in early morning soon after sunrise and 

 again in the late afternoon. The middle of the day is spent in the shade of the forest 

 trees, or else the birds may be found in the heat of the sun vigorously dusting them- 

 selves. The flight is no different from the more. eastern species, and the mode of escape 

 by running uphill, and when hard pressed taking to wing from the highest point, is also 

 identical. 



The trees of this region reach a much greater size than those of the north-east, and 

 the pheasants are consequently able to roost much higher, and it is true that they select 

 branches for this purpose well up toward the summit. Whole families and even flocks, 

 as I have remarked, roost close together in the autumn and winter. 



The eggs are laid in May or early June, and the chicks, which emerge a month later, 

 usually number six or seven — a fair index to the number of the eggs. Species of 

 Phasianus and blood partridges are found in more or less close association with the 

 Eared-pheasants. Foxes seem to be their most dangerous enemy, and doubtless many 

 nests are raided by these animals. Several observers have spoken of the enjoyment 

 which the birds seem to take in dust baths, this being apparently a daily habit during 

 the warmer seasons of the year, 



The flesh is eaten by the natives, but to a white palate it is rather coarse and not 

 nearly as well flavoured as that of the common pheasant. 



The four long, central, filamentous tail-feathers are very highly prized by the 

 Chinese, and are of considerable commercial value, being used, as I have said, for an 

 official decoration on the hats of Military Mandarins. Even in Kansu these feathers 

 are valued at four cents each. For several years the skins were in demand in Europe 

 by milliners, but this died out, fortunately for the birds. They are becoming seriously 

 depleted in numbers in many places, however, and when once the country becomes 

 opened up to the emigrant, meat-eating Chinaman of to-day, their days will be 

 numbered. 



The natives do not shoot the Eared-pheasant, the chief reason being that they 

 cannot afford powder and shot, but they trap it with a most ingenious arrangement of 



