228 
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS. 
In the Bornean forests lives the great Argus pheasant, seeking 
always its deepest recesses, where his sober colours and rich eye-like 
spots harmonize admirably with the dead leaves that strew the 
ground. Sir Stamford Raffles says that he is generally seen in com- 
pany with his mate ; and the natives affirm that tliey disport them- 
selves in the " galangan," — that is, they dance or " tread a measure," 
out of pure pride, and for the purpose of displaying their magnificent 
plumage. The Banjerezi, who inhabit the southern districts of Borneo, 
call this bird the haruwe; the Malays of Sumatra, the kuwan. Marsden 
speaks of him as a bird of remarkable beauty, and perhaps the hand- 
somest of all birds. When one has been captured in the forests, it is 
very difficult to keep him alive. A captive does not live longer than 
a month. The bird hates the light. If kept in a dark corner he is 
lively, and frequently utters his cry, ku-xvan, which is more piercing 
and plaintive than that of the peacock. But if brought out into the 
eye of " garish day," he remains motionless and dull. Later writers, 
however, affirm that he can be kept in captivity, if fed with his proper 
food — insects, snails, worms, young buds, and seeds. 
The feathered inhabitants of these sequestered wooded glades are 
very numerous, and most of them are very noticeable. Take, for 
instance, the blue-billed gaper, or " rain-bird " of the Malays. In size 
he resembles a starling ; his plumage is of a rich claret and jet-black 
colour, with white slender stripes ; and his large broad bill is painted 
of the purest cobalt blue above, and the richest orange below. Then 
there are tlie lovely Eastern trogons, with their beautifully pencilled 
wings, and crimson breasts, and brown backs ; and the large green 
barbets, with short, straight, bristly bill, and head and neck illumin- 
ated by patches of the most vivid blue and crimson. Then there is 
the green gaper, a kind of living emerald, with black bars relieving 
the wings. And the eye is further delighted with handsome wood- 
peckers and bright kingfishers, green and bro\vn cuckoos with green 
beaks and velvety red faces, red-breasted doves and honeysuckers 
flashing with metallic hues. 
The troffons are interesting birds, which belong to the "Westei'n as 
well as the Eastern Hemisphere. They resort to the sombre forest- 
