340' A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



species, except for the purpose of transport to some other congenial 

 climate. The only chance of keeping any of them alive is to get a 

 perfectly healthy bird, and place it in a cool, airy, and dry part of an 

 enclosure, such as has been recommended for the pheasants generally. 

 Both the summer and rains are trying seasons. The discomfort of the 

 former, however, can be much alleviated by covering the runs with 

 durmah and khus-khus mats during the middle of the day and until late 

 in the afternoon, and wetting them now and then with water ; when 

 kept in houses without runs cold water baths may be administered by 

 a garden syringe. 



Food.— The tragopans are more fond of berries and fruits than 

 grain ; with respect to animal food, they should be treated like other 

 pheasants. 



Transport. — These birds should not be brought down to the plains 

 except during the winter, and if possible newly-captured birds should 

 not be brought down at all. In other respects instructions given in 

 page 335 should be followed. 



Observations on their habits. 



Climate appears to affect these birds so much that, of a large 

 number of tragopans (C. Satyra) exhibited here from time to time, there 

 were a few only that were not always dull. They generally remain 

 perched up almost motionless at the same spot for days and weeks 

 together, coming down at odd times to feed and drink, when there is 

 nobody about. Only one of them has been found to partial advantage 

 displaying its plumage. It was past spring, and the bird had no mate, 

 but in the adjoining division of the same pheasantry was a hen of 

 another species, and to her its gallantry was directed. It was observed 

 perching upon a narrow ledge on the top of a low plank wall, which 

 formed the lower portion of the partition separating the cages ; its 

 feathers were ruffled and wings a little expanded, and that on the side 

 farthest from the hen somewhat elevated. In this posture it stood 

 hissing and slightly, but majestically, jerking its head, which, with one 

 eye closed, was bent on one side. Whether from ignorance of the arts 

 of a tragopanian courtship or from wonder at the effect of such a magni- 

 ficent display, no attention was, at that moment, directed to the horns 

 and lappets, which were probably also erect. For further information 

 about the distribution and habits of this group, Hume and Marshall's 

 " Game Birds of India, &c." vol. I, may be consulted. 



(383) THE COMMON PEAFOWL. 



(PAYO CRISTATUS— Linn.) 



Hindi — Mor y Tails. Bengali — Maiur. 



The white and piebald varieties (both imported from Europe) have 

 also been exhibited. 



Hab. — Central and South Central India, Trans-Gangetic provinces, 

 the Terai of the Himalayas, Assam ; rare in eastern districts of Bengal, 

 but common in Midnapore, West Burdwan, Orissa, and Sambalpore. 



