71 
1872.] W. T. Blanford — Zoology of Sikkim. 
1 never noticed tliis pigeon above about 13,000 feet. Its habits and 
flight are very similar to those of the common rock pigeon. 
Order — G alt.is.i:. 
PteroclidcB. 
Sybbhaptes Tibet ayus, Gould. — This fine sand-grouse does not oc'eur 
in Sikkim, but it appears to be found just north of the frontier in Eastern 
Tibet, and four live birds were presented to us by the Governor of Kam- 
bajong. They differed from Gould's figure in the Birds of Asia in having the 
ferruginous gorget extending completely round the back of the neck, although 
narrower behind than at the sides. 
In captivity these birds were rather noisy, their double cry being 
frequently uttered. I succeeded in bringing two to Calcutta alive, but they 
only survived a few days, although apparently in health when they reached 
the plains. 
Pliasianidce. 
804 LorHOPHOETJS Impeyantts, (Latham). — The monal is not a com- 
mon bird in Sikkim, it is, however, found throughout the higher parts of the 
country at a higher elevation than any other species. In September I 
occasionally saw birds as high as 14,000 and 15,000 feet, above the level of 
forest. They are very wary, and keep much to the rhodondendron sciub 
which usually covers the sides of the valleys for some distance above the 
limits of the pine trees ; I have occasionally seen them feeding in the open 
towards evening. 
805 Cerioenis sat yea, (L.)— The horned pheasant is always called 
Monal by the Ghorkas and other Hindustani speaking people of Sikkim. It 
inhabits a lower zone than the true Monal, but I never saw it below 8,000 
feet in Northern Sikkim. In winter it may descend lower. It appeared to me 
to be decidedly scarce in the Lachen and Lachung valleys ; far more so than 
it is on the higher hills around Darjiling, or than we found it to be 
on the Chola range. 
807 Ithagexis crtjextcs, (Hardwiclce). — Not rare on the Chola range, 
but more common in the pine forests of the Lachung valley. I shot it 
only in the latter, in September, in flocks of 10 to 15 birds, males and 
females in about equal proportions, and the young birds of the year in 
the same plumage as the old ones, but easily distinguished by the ab- 
sence of spurs on their legs. The old birds had recently moulted and 
their tails were not full grown. 
All that I saw were in the pine forests around Yeomatong, where 
they were tolerably abundant. They rarely take flight even when fired 
at, but run away and often take refuge on branches of trees. I have shot 
five or six out of one flock by following them up ; they usually escape up hill, 
