E U P L 0 CAM Bit IGNlTUS.
VI III:-BACK 1*11 K ASA V T.
PHASIANUS IGNITUS, Lath. Ind. Orn. Suppl. pt. lxL—Shaw, NatVMisc. t. 231— Raffles, Linn. Trans. p. 320.
GALLUS IGNITUS, Vieilli Gal. Ois. t. 207.—Id. Ency. Méth. t. 237. f. 2.
G. MAGARTNEYI, Temm. Pig. _et Gall, voli iii. p. 663.
GALLOPHASIS VIEILLOTI, Gray, Gen, of Birds, vol. in. p. 498 (1845).—Gould, B. of Asia, pl.’ jjart iv.
PHASIANUS RUFUS, Raffl. Linn. Trans. voL.xni. ,p. 321, fem.
GALLOP H ASIS IGNITUS, Gray, Gen. of Bi yoltmi'-p. 498.
EUPLOCAMUS IGNITUS, Gray, Must. Ind, Zool. vol. ii. pi. 39, fem—Gray, List Gall. (1867) p. 34.
MACARTNEIA IGNITA, Bon. Compt. Rend. (1856) p. 879—Less. Trait. Om. p. 493.
EUPLOCAMUS VIEILLOTI, Sclat. Proc. Zool. Soc. (18Ò3) p. 118. sp. 2.—Id. Wolfs Zoól.,Sketches, 2ii& ser. ( 1$67),pi— Gray, List Gall.
*' (1867) p. 35.—Id. List of Gen. of B. (1841) p. 77.
Hab. Malacca, Sumatra. Banks of the Gréât Tenasserim river (Bly§hjJ’. Mergui (Beudmoue).
Two species have been described of this particular form, Mr. G. R. Gray having separated, png under the name of Vieilloti I
do not think that there are more than one, the Vieilloti representing the immature bird, which is always streaked with chestnut
upon; the sides, and has the central tail-feathers brown. This Fire-back is a very elegant Pheasant, both in its shape and as
regards the colour of its plumage, as a glance a t the opposite platef'ralHtestify. It is a native of the Malayan peninsula,
of India, Malacca, and Sumatra. Some living examples have been received in Europe a t different times; but it does not breed
readily in captivity, or has not up to the present time; and I am not aware of any individuals having been reared in the various
Zoological Gardens where it has been an inmate. Although long known to ornithologists, but little is recorded of the economy
habits of this Pheasant, the reason hemg the difficult nature of the ground it is accustomed t # inhabit, making it no easy
task for one desirous of observing it in its native haunts to approach. “ Ornithognomon ” says it frequents the same haunts and
has similar habits as the Black- and1 White-crested Kaleeges (E . melanotus and E . albocristalus), though living in more southerly
latitudes. “ It appears to be less of a hill-bird than th e other Kaleeges, and is found often on; the banks o f • rivers, in the deep
forests of the Mergui districts, and in the swampy jungles of Malacca, Penang, and Singapore. The Karens and Malays entrap
these birds for sale; and they are eagerly purchased by the rich Bengalees of Calcutta, many. of whom* have most expensive
aviaries. Attempts have been made to rear them in confinement at Hongkong, in China, but without success, the boisterous cold
season of that place quickly destroying them.” The male is armed with long, sharp, and powerful spurs, which it do.ubtless can
use with fatal effect when occasion demands.
The fine specimens from which the accompanying Plate was drawn, jvere kindly lent to me by the Hon.. Thomas De Grey, M.P.,
to whom I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks.
Male.—-Crest and general plumage deep steel-blue; feathers of the wings and back margined with a brilliant blue. Rump fiery
red. Primaries dark brown. Upper tail-coverts very' long, shining blue Central tail-feathers white, remainder bluish black.
White central streak upon the flank-feathers. Skin of the face deep blue. Feet and legs pale red.
Female.—Upper parts,- wings, and tail chestnut, freckled with dark brown. Throat and breast dark brown, tipped with chestnut.
Underparts dark red, margined with white; Orbits blue. Legs and feet light red.
The figures are life-size.