58 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 
Lineated excels in this respect. In regard to captive birds I have found that it is 
wholly a matter of individuality. Some males will not tolerate a female of their 
own kind at any time of year, while others show but little objection to the 
presence of other cocks even at the breeding season. No one seems to have wit- 
nessed a battle between wild birds, but sorely wounded specimens have been found 
under circumstances which left no doubt of the vadson ad’étre. As the result of 
widespread inquiries among sportsmen I could only elicit the information that the 
fighting took place chiefly in March and early April, and in morning and late 
afternoon. In addition to the whirring of the wings, Major Nisbett tells me that 
the birds make a clapping noise by striking the backs of the wings together. 
This performance, so characteristic of fowls and pigeons, I have never heard from 
any kaleege, and it certainly must be but rarely produced. 
There can be little doubt that the Lineated is normally monogamous. The 
frequent association of the birds in isolated pairs is strong circumstantial evidence, 
and the final proof is the not infrequent record of both parents seen with a single 
brood. On the other hand, if females are numerous, a cock is not unwilling to 
consort with two or three. 
I did not find the nest of this kaleege, and my information is derived from 
the data of Majors Nisbett, Harington and other excellent observers. Nests have 
been found throughout the entire extent of elevation from sea-level up to over 
two thousand feet. The location is typically phasianine—on the ground in the forest. 
It may be in a clump of dense bamboo or lower undergrowth, close beside a dead, fallen 
tree or at the base of a live one. The slight hollow may be a natural one, in which 
case the natural forest debris of dead leaves, grass or moss is left and gradually felted 
down into a dense lining by the weight of the bird’s body, or it may be scratched — 
out by the hen bird, when the eggs are deposited on the earth itself. Six to eight 
are the more usual numbers. In the Petchaburi River country, south-west of Bangkok, 
Siam, Gairdner found a nest of eight eggs on April 3. Judging by the largest 
number of young seen together, five seems to be the largest brood reared to 
maturity, while two or three is the usual brood. The eggs are regular ovals, some- 
times quite broad, and with considerable gloss. They vary from rich reddish-buff 
to buffy cream, and the pores are always lighter and often pure white. They measure 
from 44 to 50mm. in length, and from 35 to 38 in breadth; the average being 47 
by 36 mm. 
The period of incubation, judging by captive birds, is twenty-five days. The 
chicks are strong and run at once. Oates says that he was ‘fortunate enough to 
capture portions of four broods. It is astonishing in what a short time the little 
birds make themselves invisible. It is difficult to secure more than two out of one 
batch. It is a case of pouncing on them at once or losing them. The mother is 
a great coward, running away at the slightest alarm, and thus contrasting very 
unfavourably with the jungle fowl, which keeps running round and round the intruder 
with great anxiety till her young ones are in safety.” 
This latter statement, I think, is based on an individual performance, as my 
experience with closely related species of kaleege seems to indicate that the hens 
are quite as brave and as good mothers as those of any of the family. The young 
