T a b b L X I I I . , L X I V . , b t L X V .
T R A G O P A N HASTINGS I I .
T ra g . dorso hrunneo-fusco w id id a to , a b d omine in ten se rubro, amboriim p lum is a d apicem n ig r is in
medio albo g x ttta tis ; c r is ta crissoque a tr is , ilia a d apic em coccineâ, hoc albo m a c id a to ; collo
p o s te r io r i coccineo; thorace a v r a n t io ; regione circumoc tdari n u d a ; c a ru n cu lisq u ep en d en tih u s
lu te is ; ca u d â a tr â , lutescenti-albo u n d u la lâ .
L o n g itu d o corporis, 23 u n c .; a loe, 1 1 : caudoe, 91-; ta r s i, 3 t.
T his new species, on which we have bestowed the name of Hastiugsii in honour of the Noble Marquis, whose
patronage o f science reflected as much credit on his government of India as his political career conferred
glory, is no less beautiful than the foregoing species T. Saùjrus. It somewhat exceeds that bird in size, and
may readily be distinguislied from it by the gorget o f fiery orange whicli ornaments the lower parts of the
neck ; the feathers also o f the breast and under parts are largely tijiped with black, wbicb, were it not for tlie
white spot in the middle o f each, would appear to be tbe uniform colour o f tiiis part, althougli the basal half
of each feather is maroon.
Although this species and the last are closely allied to each other, and doubtless jiossess similar habits
and manners, we are led to believe that their local distribution is somewhat diflerent; at least we generally
receive but one species in a collection from the same quarter ; the Tragopan Satyrus being transmitted from
the Nepaulcse hills, while the present species is sent to ns from the more northern range o f the Himalaya.
The changes of plumage wliich birds of this genus, especially the present, undergo in passing from youth to
maturity are such as to have caused an apparently erroneous multiplication o f species. Diligent and repeated
observations of a series o f these birds in the various stages o f tlieir plumage have satisfied us that there are
in reality but three distinct sjiecies yet known, two of which are figured in the “ Century,” the tliird being
the Tragopan 2'emminctcii before alluded to as illustrated in the “ Indian Zoology” of Major-general Hardwicke
and Mr. Gray.
The head o f the adult male is covered with a jiendent crest of feathers, which as well as the car-coverts
and throat are black ; the neck and shoulders are rich maroon ; the chest rich glossy orange red ; the naked
skin around the eyes is red ; the fleshy horns and wattles mingled blue and purjile ; the upjicr jiarts exhibit a
mixture of zigzag lines and marks of dark and light brown, with numerous and distinct spots of white ; each
o f the upper tail-coverts ends in a large white eye, bordered on the sides with brown, and tipjied with black ;
the tail deepens till it ends in uniform black ; the feathers o f tlie under surface are maroon, largely tijiped
with black, in the centre of which is a large white sjiot ; the beak is black ; the tarsi brown.
In the young male the jflmnage is much less brilliant, the wattles being o f a pale flesh colour, and little
develojicd, as is also the naked skin o f tho flice.
The jfliimage of the female consists of a uniform brown, mottled and barred with mingled lines and dots of
various tints, the feathers of the back and chest having a central dash of a lighter colour ; the head is crested
with short rounded feathers ; the sides o f the cheeks arc clothed, and there are neither fleshy horns nor
wattles.
Tlic respective Plates represent the male, young male, and female, two thirds of their natural size.