‘LINEATED KALEEGE BE 
This is the utmost that our alphabet will achieve, and if one has listened to a captive 
kaleege of any species, he will instantly appreciate the attempt. 
When the pheasants are suddenly alarmed so that they take to wing, their outcry is 
a shrill squeaking, much like rubbing a wet cork on a bottle. This is more recognizable 
as the syllables Whe-ech-cheech-che-ech! . 
The most interesting phase of their volubility is when they are feeding quietly 
together or preening their feathers. On several occasions when I had cached myself 
with such care that my presence was wholly unknown to the birds, I was able to listen 
to the intimate conversation of a family. Even my coarse hearing could discover the 
modulations and inflexions, but to no human ear is given understanding or appreciation 
of the extent of the ideas or sensations thus conveyed. I remember one bird, busily 
scratching and feeding, which appeared to be talking wholly to itself. No other was 
within several yards. As it scratched the mould and leaves it was silent, then, when it 
began to search for the edible results of its energy, it murmured continuously in a low 
undertone, which rose and fell, gained in strength and timbre, or actually broke into 
short, isolated grunts, according to the excitement of the discovery and chase of the 
insects and other creatures upon which it was feeding. 
While the Lineated is not a stronger flier than others of its family, it rises easily, 
and is able to continue for a sufficient distance to carry it well beyond ordinary danger. 
When flushed by the sudden rush of a dog, or an undetected approach of a beater, the 
bird will shoot across a valley with strong, rapid wing-beats. Whenever possible it 
directs its flight downhill and scales as much as the force of gravitation will permit. 
The tail is usually held low, and only when suspicious of danger does the bird draw 
itself up to full height on its very toes, and search every direction. 
DAILY ROUND OF LIFE 
A night spent in slumber on the branch of a tree; an early morning drink and 
search for food; a midday siesta; again a feeding period, and in the cool of early 
evening a leisurely stroll to water, and thence to roost—such is an epitome of the daily 
life of the Lineated, as well as of most other pheasants. 
These birds are omnivorous, and they seem to thrive equally well on a wholly 
vegetable diet, or one which embraces only insect and other animal food. ‘They are 
inveterate scratchers, and to listen for the loud rustling of leaves is one of the commonest 
modes of detecting their presence. When a family of pheasants is accustomed to haunt 
any definite portion of jungle, daily inspection of this area will reveal the considerable 
amount of energy expended in this search for food. If this investigation be carried on 
at midday, when the birds are resting quietly, there will be little chance of disturbing 
them or driving them elsewhere. They seem to have favourite spots in the open jungle 
floor, and day after day will enlarge the borders of this scratched-over area, which is 
doubtless chosen because of the abundance of some particular food. Another habit, 
which I have both observed and have had reported to me, is that of scratching around 
stumps or the trunks of fallen decayed trees, and often the bark itself will be detached in 
large flakes, probably by strenuous pecks of the bird’s bill. 
Nisbett and Payne report that the birds fatten very noticeably when they take to 
feeding on certain foods, such as when there is an unusually good crop of a small species 
