G A L L U S VAF(IU SM
GALLUif VA III US.
FORKED-TAIL JUNGLE-FOWL.
PHASIANUS VARIUS, Shaw, Nat. Misc. pi. 353, vol. x. (1798).
GALLUS JAVANICUS, Horsf. Linn. Trans.'vdhfxiii. p. 185.' '
G; FUBCATUS, Temm. Plan. Color. 433.—VieilL GaU/Ois. v o l .® p .-662.—Less. Trait. Ora. (1831) p. 492, sp. 5—Wall. Proc. Zool. Soc.
(1863) p. 486.—Temm. Pig. et Gall., vol. iii. p. 662H-@lpg. Hand- und Hilfsb. der Naturg.. p. 387'.
G. VARIUSj Gray, List B. Brit. Mus. (1844) p. 27—Id. List Gall. (1867); p. 40.—Sclat-. Proc. Zool.?So§^(l863) p. 12Q, sp,;4.-^giiv. Rig.
Anim, (1817) vol. i, p. 444— Gray, Gen. of B. vol. iii. (1845) p. 499j-Id . Hand-list of Birds, part ii. p. 261, no. 9620.
CREAGRUS VARIUS^ Glog. Hand- und Hilfsb. der Naturg. (1842) p.-382. y
H ab. J av a ; Lombock, Sumbawa, Flores (W allace) .
T h e Forked-tail Jungle-fowl differs from all other species o f the genus Gallus by haying the neck-hackles square a t their tips,
instead of lanceolate, and also in h av ing-bur a single median wattle in place pJAdne on each side of the face as is usual
with its relatives. Besides these changes of structure, the colour o f its plumage is very different; there being more of the
metallic hues displayed by the feathers as th e light plays upon them, th i s species is a native of Java, where it is not
uncommon. Mr. Wallace obtained it also in Flores,' the example from that locality presenting but little variation from the Javan
birds. He |llf) jaw it in the island, of Lombock, and heard of its being abundant in the island of Sumbawa. It was first
described by Shaw, in the ‘ Naturalists’ Miscellany,’ as Gallus varius, this name being ignored by Temminck some years afterwards,
who renamed th& species G. furcatus, which appellation, of course, must become a synonym of the one .bestowed upon the species
by Shaw. O f the habits and economy of this Jungle-fowl I regret to say that nothing has been recorded; but I have no doubt
that it would afford as much sport to the hunter, and be as acceptable for the table, as either of the three other specie’s
which are so highly esteemed in the different countries in which they dwell. On account of the .differences exhibited by this
species in its wattle and the shape of the neck-feathers from those of its relatives, a new genus ha? been proposed for it—that
of Creaorus. This I shall employ as a subgeneric division of Gallus, but do not deem it nec essary to accord the species a
separate generic rank.
Male. Head, neck, and upper part of back bright metallic :gr.een, each feather margined with, black. Rump and upper tailcoverts
have the centres o f the feathers black, margins of both.-webs Some centres have a green metallic hne.| Central
tail-feathers very much curved, metallic green, black along the sh aft; remaining feathers black on their inner webs, green on the
outer. Smaller wing-coverts red with black centres, some few black with yellow edges. Secondaries black, lightly edged with
rufous. Primaries dark brown. Entire underparts black. Comb and median wattle green, red, and yellow, the first next to the
head and throat, respectively. Bill horn-colour. Feet and legs flesh-colour.
Female. Head and neck rufous brown. Throat white. Upper parts rufous brown, each feather having broad black longitudinal
lines. Upper tail-coverts lighter. Wings black, crossed with irregular buff' bars. Primaries brown. Tail black, with faint buff
spot-like markings on the edges of the feathers; - t h e S t e d ones tinged with metallic green. Underparts rqfous brown
margined with blackish brown. Bill ho.rn-colour. Feet and legs fleshrcolour.