THE KOKLASS. l6l 



enjoying the finest climate, and will be surrounded by the most 

 magnificent scenery. 



Wilson says of the Koklass : — 



" This is another forest Pheasant common to the whole of the 

 wooded regions, from an elevation of about 4,000 feet to nearly 

 the extreme limits of forest, but is most abundant in the lower 

 and intermediate ranges. In the lower ranges its favourite 

 haunts are in wooded ravines ; but it is found on nearly all hill 

 sides which are covered with trees or bushes, from the summit 

 of the ridges to about half way down. Further in the interior 

 it is found scattered in all parts, from near the foot of the hills 

 to the top, or as far as the forest reaches, seeming most partial 

 to the deep sloping forests composed of oak, chestnut, and 

 morenda pine, with box, yew, and other trees intermingled, and a 

 thick underwood of ringal. 



" The Koklass is of a rather retired and solitary disposition. 

 It is generally found singly or in pairs ; and, except the 

 brood of young birds, which keep pretty well collected till near 

 the end of winter, they seldom congregate much together. 

 When numerous, several are often put up at no great distance 

 from each other, as if they were members of one lot ; but when 

 more thinly scattered, it is seldom that more than two old birds 

 are found together ; and at whatever season, when one is found, 

 its mate may, almost to a certainty, be found somewhere near. 

 This would lead one to imagine that many pairs do not separate 

 after the business of incubation is over, but keep paired for 

 several successive years. 



" In forests where there is little grass or underwood, they 

 get up as soon as aware of the approach of any one near, or 

 run quickly along the ground to some distance ; but where 

 there is much cover, they lie very close and will not get up till 

 forced by dogs or beaters. When put up by dogs they often 

 fly up into a tree close by, which they rarely do when flushed by 

 beaters or the sportsman himself, then flying a long way and 

 generally alighting on the ground. Their flight is rapid in the 

 extreme, and after a few whirrs, they sometimes shoot down 

 like lightning. They sometimes utter a few low chuckles before 

 getting up, and rise sometimes with a low screeching chatter, 

 and sometimes silently. The males often crow at daybreak, 

 and occasionally at all hours. 



" In the remote forests of the interior, on the report of a gun, 

 all which are within half a mile or so, will often crow after 

 each report ; they also often crow after a clap of thunder or 

 any loud and sudden noise ; this peculiarity seems to be con- 

 fined to those in dark shady woods in the interior, as I never 

 noticed it on the lower hills. 



11 The Koklass feeds principally on leaves and buds ; it also 

 eats roots, grubs, acorns, seeds, and berries, moss and flowers. 

 It will not readily eat grain, and is more difficult to rear in 



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