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Rollulus roulroul, Scopoli 



Vernacular Names.— [See-oul, Malay Peninsula ; Baniul, Sumatra 



IKE the last species, the Red-Crested Wood-Quail is 

 a Malayan form, only just entering our limits in 

 Southern Tenasserim. 



Throughout the entire length of the western side 

 of the Malay Peninsula (and probably equally 

 on the eastern side also), Sumatra and Borneo, this 

 species occurs in suitable localities. It has been 

 said to have been found in Java, but this appears to need con- 

 firmation. 

 Into Western Siam it certainly extends. 



Essentially a forest bird, this species would seem to range 

 from sea level to an elevation of three or four thousand feet. 

 It is a lively bird, flying rapidly when flushed, and although, 

 Quail-like, soon dropping into the undergrowth, with a dog 

 it affords fair sport. 



Davison remarks in our " Birds of Tenasserim" : — 



"This species is always found in small parties of six or eight 

 or more, males and females, keeping to the dense forest, and 

 never venturing into the open, living on berries, seeds, tender 

 shoots and leaves, and insects of various sorts. It does not 

 scratch about nearly so much as the Arboricolas, and is much 

 quicker and more lively in its movements, much like a Quail, 

 running hither and thither. They rise well before a dog, but it 

 is hard to flush them without. Their note is a soft, mellow, 

 pleasant whistle, which is chiefly heard in the morning, but 

 which they also utter when calling to each other after they have 

 been separated. Like that of A. rufogularis, their note is very 

 easily imitated, and they will answer the call readily." 



Again, Col. Tickell says : — 



" These singular birds ramble about the hill sides, at an eleva- 

 tion of about 3,000 feet to 4,000 feet, in bevies or parties of six 

 or eight to a dozen. They are exceedingly swift of foot, never 

 leave the jungle, and rarely take to wing. I once came across 



