738 
GALLUS LAFAYETTH. 
The beautiful South-Indian J ungle-fowl, G. sonnerati, is larger than either of the above species (wing 100 inches) and 
is notable for the extraordinary structure of the hackles and wing-covert feathers, which terminate in a long 
lanceolate process, of a crisp leaf-like or waxen aspect, and which are of a glistening yellow-red colour. The 
feathers of the head and neck are very long, and are black with grey edges and bright white shafts, and a cross 
bar of the same, while at the tip there is a golden transverse spot ; back dark greyish brown, the feathers with 
grey edges and shaft-streaks and mottled with the same colour ; quills brown, with pale edges ; secondaries 
glossed with green ; longer upper tail-coverts purple and bronze; underparts grey, with a lanceolate black 
central streak on each feather, enclosing a white shaft-streak. This is a mere outline description of this species, 
which, one would think, ought to be found in Ceylon, as it is so common in South India. 
Distribution . — The Jungle-fowl is more or less scattered through the dry jungly districts of the low 
country, and diffused throughout the hills of the Southern and Central Provinces. It is rather rare in the 
jungles of the maritime portions of the Western Province and south-western district, and is not common 
even in the forests of the interior. It is occasionally brought into Colombo and Galle by natives, but very 
seldom indeed into the former town. During my rambles in the jungles of the Ilewagam and Ray i gam 
Korales I never heard its note ; but further inland, in the Three and Pour Korales, in Saffragam, and in the 
Pasdurn Korale, I have listened to its well-known cry. Likewise in the hilly jungles of the south-western 
district I have not met with it near the sea; but I have seen it about Oodogamma, and further up at the base 
of the ranges it becomes more plentiful. On the eastern slopes of the Morowak Korale, where a drier 
climate prevails, it finds a more congenial home, and along the Wellaway river and from that eastward it is 
numerous. In the maritime portions of the south-east it abounds, delighting in the dense Euphorbia - scrubs 
along the sea-coast. From this section of country round the east coast to the north of the island it is very 
numerous, and inhabits all the northern forests, extending down the west side as far south as the Ivurune- 
gala district. In the hills it is resident and breeds commonly up to about 5000 feet. On the Nuwara-Elliya 
plateau and up on the Horton Plains it is very abundant during the north-east monsoon, coining up from lower 
down on the hills, and probably, to some extent, from the low country, to feed on the berries of the nilloo. 
It is probable that many remain throughout the year in these uplands ; but, as I have only visited the Horton 
Plains in the cool season, I am unable to say whether it is found in that locality to any extent during the 
wet season. In February and March, 1868, Captain Bayley of Galle informs me, they bred at the Horton 
Plains in great numbers. 
Habits . — This handsome bird, although so very abundant in many parts, is by no means easy to shoot. 
It dwells entirely in cover, and, though it is fond of frequenting the vicinity of paths and tracks through 
forest, its sense of hearing is so acute that it removes to a safe distance at the sound of approaching footsteps ; 
and though it will continue to utter its challenge-cry of “ George Joyce,” it gradually makes its way off 
behind some protecting hillock or rise in the ground which shuts out the road or path from its view. The 
north-eastern forests are well suited to its habits, the ground being covered with dry leaves, which do not 
decay so soon as in the humid jungles of the south; and among these, harbouring a multitude of seeds, insects, 
and grubs, it scratches exactly after the manner of its domestic race. This scratching may often be heard on 
a still morning at some distance away ; and if the bird be behind a mound or little eminence it can be approached 
if the sportsman is cautious and makes no noise. 
The J ungle-fowl roosts at a considerable height from the ground, choosing a good-sized branch to perch 
upon, and up to which it flies at an early hour in the evening ; for the jungle sw r arms with hostile vermin 
and its instinct teaches it to leave terra firma before the shades of evening spread a gloom through the thick 
forest. At daybreak in the morning they fly down from their roost, and while the cocks challenge each 
other with loud calls of “George Joyce, George Joyce,” every now and then flapping their wings as they 
walk slowly about, the hens, if they have a brood of chicks to tend, lead them out into open places or into 
roads, where they scratch surrounded by their family, precisely after the manner of a barn-door fowl ; and so 
intent are they in thus seeking food for their young, that I have walked down a road to within shot before 
disturbing them. The cocks are particularly combative in the breeding-season; and when the challenge-note 
is uttered, if there be another cock within hearing, he replies and flaps his wings, the call is continued, the 
birds approaching each other, and they will sometimes cross a road in so doing, and thus afford a shot. 
