on trees except when disturbed by a dog ; on hearing a human footstep they invariably run, if they can ; and
it is anything but an easy matter in Sikhim to get a fair shot at these or any other game-birds that
inhabit that country. When they do rise, they always fly down the side of the mountain ; and the momentary
glimpse one gets of a scarlet object between the trees, flying very rapidly, is, to a man who perhaps for
some hours previously lias been toiling on hands and knees, and creeping through prickly bushes as silently
as possible, anything but satisfactory. Shooting under such difficulties is therefore but little practised by
Europeans; those who want skins of birds, or game for the table, generally hire a native, either a Lepcha
or Nepaul man, who, by lying close near the known haunts of the birds, and imitating their call, draws them
within shot. The winter months, when the underwood is not so dense as at other seasons, are the only
period of the year a t which even the natives can get at them. The usual plan of capture is by making a
hedge of bushes about 3 feet high, extending down the sides of a hill, like the sides of a triangle with the
base open. The sides are made to gradually converge until near the apex, where small gaps are left, in
each of which a noose is placed. The birds are then slowly driven by men on foot, walking in line, towards
the base of operations, if I may so call it ; and the birds, continuing to run instead of resorting to flight,
dash through the openings and are caught in the nooses. A curious fact with regard to this mode of
capture is, that the proportion of males to females is generally four or five of the former to one of the latter.
The birds brought into Darjeeling for sale are usually sold for about four shillings each, if it happens to be
a dry season, but generally more. I have seen them sold a t two shillings each. Early morning or the
evening are the best times to go after them ; and the former is preferred by the natives. They are then
heard calling on all sides, and, by dint of severe crawling and creeping, one has the chance of a shot, which
as likely as not will be at the bird running ; and the sportsman must avail himself of the very first glimpse
of the bird to fire, or he will not be likely to see it a second time.”
“ It is quite impossible,” says Mr. Bartlett, “ to convey in writing or by a drawing the extraordinary
beauty of the living male bird while courting the female ; no language can accurately describe it ; and
the vibratory motion of the head and neck renders a drawing out of the question. It must be seen to be
understood.” Mr. T. W. Wood, in some notes communicated to Mr. Bartlett, gives the following account
of the birds as seen by him in the Zoological Society’s Gardens :— “ The males can only be seen to
advantage in the early morning and in the evening, as they conceal themselves during the day ; the females,
however, are less retiring in their habits. When the male is not excited, the horns lie concealed under two
triangular patches of red feathers, their points meeting a t the occiput; the large wattle is also concealed or
displayed a t the will of the bird. The male has three distinct modes o f ‘ showing off,’ if I may be
allowed the expression. After walking about rather excitedly, he places himself in front of the female with
the body slightly crouching upon the legs, and the tail bent downwards ; the head is then violently jerked
downwards, and the horns and wattle become conspicuous ; the wings have a flapping motion, and thé
bright red patch on them is fully displayed. The whole of the neck appears to be larger than usual during
this action, as do also the horns, which, moreover, vibrate with every movement. This scene is concluded
by the bird suddenly drawing himself up to his full height, with his wings expanded and quivering, the horns
erect, and the wattle fully displayed. The second mode consists of simply erecting all his feathers and
elevating one shoulder, thereby exposing a greater surface to view, without, however, showing his headdress.
The third mode is by simply standing boldly erect on an elevated perch, giving the head one or
two sudden shakes, and causing the horns and wattle to appear for a few moments.”
As any description, however accurate, must fail to convey a just notion of the colouring of this fine
bird, I shall content myself with referring my readers to the accompanying plate, in which it is correctly
depicted. The female represented in the upper figure differs greatly from the male, being of a sombre
brown mottled with a darker tint, and with a few faint white lines on the upper p art of the back and wing-
coverts ; primaries chestnut, banded with dark brown ; chin whitish'; under surface ornamented with white
lines which increase in size from the breast to the vent.
The young males resemble the females, and when assuming the plumage of maturity are spotted with red
on the neck, wings, and under surface.
“ The eggs ” are described by Mr. Sclater to be of a “ creamy white, minutely freckled and blotched with
two shades of pinkish grey, and measure 2-45 by 1-8 inch.” Mr. Bartlett states that the young birds, when
nearly hatched, are not unlike the chicks of the Woodgrouse (Capercaillie), and that their wings are then
sufficiently developed to enable them to mount the branches o f trees or shrubs.
The Plate represents an adult male, about two-thirds of the natural size, and contains a reduced figure
of the same, sex displaying the horns and wattle, and a still further reduced female.