190 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



may be seen hanging in Tibetan houses, and the natives often wear the foot of one of 

 these birds as an amulet or charm. 



Writing of the neighbourhood of Tatsienlu Mr. Wilson gives the following notes on 

 the White Eared-pheasant. It is abundant in this vicinity and "frequents the upper 

 timber-belt between 9,500 and 13,000 feet, being commonly met with in large flocks, 

 more especially in autumn, when it is probable that several convoys join forces. West 

 of Tachienlu on the highway to Batang it is frequently to be seen strolling about in 

 open grassy places and across the roadway. The walk is suggestive of a fine farmyard 

 rooster, and with its broad, slightly raised, arching plume-like tail the bird looks very 

 stately. It is a great runner and always makes straight up the mountainside into thick 

 cover. When flushed it takes wing with the speed of a bullet, and with its heavy body 

 makes a great noise on rising. The flight is of short duration and only attempted as a 

 last resource ; generally the bird alights on trees. 



" Hunting this strong-legged, handsome bird is most 'winding' and fatiguing sport. 

 A favourite food is wild onions, and the strong flavour of this esculent permeates the 

 flesh, which is dark-coloured and coarse and of little value for the table. The average 

 weight of an adult male is about 8 to 9 lbs. 



"This Crossoptilun ranges throughout the sub-alpine regions, bordering the 

 timber-line from south-west of Tachienlu to the neighbourhood of Sungpan Ting, and 

 is one of the commonest birds found in this region. The vernacular Chinese name for 

 this bird is ' Mache ' ; a Thibetan name is ' Shar-har.' How far to the south and west 

 of the regions indicated this bird ranges I have no knowledge." Brooding commences 

 about the beginning of June and possibly earlier. By the end of July the chicks are 

 of good size and strong on the wing. 



Nothing further seems to have been observed of this magnificent pheasant in the 

 wild state. The nests that have been found have resulted in no recorded information 

 beyond that the number of eggs is from four to seven. Eggs of the White Eared- 

 pheasant collected near Tatsienlu, Szechuan, are regular broad ovals, very glossy, and 

 smooth. They are of a pale stone, pale buff or reddish-buff colour. Some are plain, 

 others are sprinkled, chiefly at the larger end, with specks of reddish brown. They 

 measure from 58 to 62 mm. in length, and from 43 to 44 in breadth. 



CAPTIVITY 



With the exception of the brown eared-pheasant, the White one is the only one 

 which has been taken out of Asia alive. A very small number of individuals have been 

 kept in several of the Zoological Gardens of Europe, and in Berlin the birds have laid 

 eggs but not bred. Three specimens were captured in the mountains of Szechuan, near 

 the snow-line, at an elevation of nearly fifteen thousand feet, near Tatsienlu, by E. A. 

 Pratt, and were received at the London Zoological Gardens in 189 1. At the same 

 institution there is a longevity record of seven birds of this species, one of which lived 

 two years and eight months. The average length of life was only twenty-two months. 

 No other facts have been recorded — another of the countless opportunities missed which 

 must be chalked up against those who have had the chance to make notes upon such 

 characters as gait, voice, sociability, method of securing food, courtship and fighting, 



