
evergreens, particularly in the lower canopy. This forest type, 
usually dense and high, is composed of such characteristic trees as 
_Altingia, Maglietia, and Talauma, and of less common or occasional 
occurrence are Cinnamomum, Atrocarpus, and Mesua. Undergrowth consists 
of various Lauraceae, Anonaceae and Meliaceae. Several genera of bamboo 
may occur. Ground cover is usually poor where undergrowth is dense. 
Where light is adequate, monocotyledonous herbs and members of Rubiaceae 
are abundant. In the semi-evergreen forests, sandy loam soils are 
common, 
The black-breasted kalij is fond of feeding on long, flat 
spurs or knolls covered with broad-leaved evergreens or deciduous trees 
but retires into ravines or brushy areas for escape and resting. A 
small stream along the ravine bottom is preferred. Precipitous cliffs 
are also inhabited as well as small clearings and roads if surrounded 
by dense entanglements. 
Climatic Comparisons 
Weather data are scarce and seldom complete from much of 
the kalij range in India. For this reason, it has not been possible 
to establish climacurvic comparisons of use in locating similar climatic 
zones in the United States. In place of this, presented in Fig. 2, 
is a map indicating areas which by climate and topography would appear 
to be suitable for trial introductions. 
From this it will be noted that the white-crested kalij, 
the Nepal kalij and the black-backed kalij would appear to be adaptable 
to the central and southern Appalachians and adjacent hill country 
through Kentucky and Tennessee, to the Ozarks and to parts of the 
Northwest. Presumably, in summer, its range might extend up into that 
of the ruffed grouse along the central Appalachians and to be lower 
down in winter. In general, however, kalij pheasants might be expected 
to thrive in a climatic niche which is too warm for grouse to be found 
in abundance. 
The black-breasted kalij of Assam might occupy still warmer 
woodlands in the rougher parts of the deep South and possibly spread 
out into many forested areas where the topography is comparatively flat. 
The white-crested, the Nepal, and the black-backed kalij 
are found where summers are mild to hot and humid, with winters mainly 
mild to cool. To the species' advantage, a downward migration occurs, 
when very cold weather or heavy snows affect the higher elevations. 
Movement may be down to 1,500 feet or even lower into the lowest foothills 
and adjacent flat lands, depending upon the severity of the weather. 
30 
