FASCICULI MALATENSES 



123 



223. Polyplectron maiaccensis, (Scop.) 

 Polyplectron bicalcaratum, Grant, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxii, p. 354, (1893) ; 



Bonhote, p. 78. 

 Polyplectron maiaccensis, Hartert, p. 538. 



$ , 9 ad. Lower Batang Padang, South Perak. 29th January. (Nos. 605, 608) 



Dr. Hartert is no doubt right in maintaining that P. maiaccensis is the 

 correct name for the Malayan Peacock-Pheasant. 



' Usually inhabiting the densest jungle, and even more shy than the Argus. 

 Malay name, Kuang chermin (Mirror Argus-Pheasant), alluding to the tail 

 spots.' 



224. Pavo muticus, Linn. 

 Pavo muticus, Bonhote, p. 78 ; Hartert, p. 538. 



$ ad. et imm. Mabek, Jalor. 22nd July. (Nos. 299, 300) 



The Burmese Pea-fowl has the iris dark hazel, the anterior portion of the 

 bare face lavender-blue, the hinder portion from the gape upwards pale chrome- 

 yellow, the bill black, horn-coloured at the tip, and the feet black. 



1 Exceedingly rare on the western side of the Peninsula, but very 

 abundant in Pahang and the more inland districts of the Patani States, 

 and frequenting low jungle near rivers. Malay name, Merak (probably 

 onamatopoetic).' 



225. Argusianus argus, Linn. 

 Argusianus argus, Bonhote, p. 78 ; Hartert, p. 538. 



$ ad. Rhaman. 19th July. (No. 295) 



The Argus has the iris greenish-hazel, the naked skin of the head blue, 

 the bill whitish-horn, and the feet pale coral-pink. 



'Common throughout the Peninsula in old jungle, but apparently does 

 not frequent the swampy tracts near the coast. It is especially fond of the ridges 

 of the hills, where spaces cleared by the cocks as u showing-ofF" grounds are 

 often to be met with. The natives told me that this peculiarity was taken 

 advantage of by them in trapping the males, who are very particular in 

 removing any dead leaves or twigs from their grounds. A strip of bamboo 

 sharpened on the lower edge is firmly pegged down in the form of a hoop in 

 the centre of the space, and the bird in its efforts to remove it places its head 

 beneath the sharpened edge and so decapitates itself. I give the story for 

 what it is worth. By the Sakai the Argus-Pheasant is not unfrequently 

 tamed, and hens may often be seen among their domestic poultry. The 

 Malay name is Burong kuang.'' 



