lands; but, as I have only visited the Horton Plains in the oool 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 in¬ 
forms 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 protect¬ 
ing hillock, or rise in thb ground, which shuts the road or path from its 
v lew. 
The North-eastern forests are well suited to its habits, the ground be¬ 
ing covered with dry leaves, which do hot decay so soon as in the humid jun¬ 
gles of the South; and among these, harbouring a multitude of seeds, insec Is 
and grubs. It scratches exactly after the manner of its domestic race. 
This scratching may be heard on a still morning; at some distance, and if 
the bird be behind a mound or slight eminence it can be approached if the 
sportsman is cautious and makes no noise. 
Tne Jungle Fowl roosts at a considerable height from the -round, choosiig 
a good sized branch to perch upon, up to which it flies at an early hour 
in the evening, for the jungles swarm with hostile’vermin, and its Instinct 
r,, ams it to leave terra firma before the shades of evening spread a gloom 
through the thick forest. At daybreak they fly down from their roost, and 
while the cocks challenge eeich other with loud calls of "George Joyce", flip 
ping their wings as they walk slowly about, the hens, if they have a brood 
of chicks to tend, leadethem out into open places or roads, where ihey 
scratch surrounded by their family,precisely after the manner of the barn 
door fowl, and so Intent are they in thus seeking food for their young, t 
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 af¬ 
ford a shot. I could never ascertain whether an§t actual combats were the 
result of their meeting,., and I think that generally one or other of tne 
birds retreat when he sees his his antagonist. 
