THE INTELLECTUAL OBSERVER. SEPTEMBER, 1863. REMARKS UPON THE HORNED TRAGOPANS BY A. D. BARTLETT, Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park. (With a Coloured Plate.) Or this fine group of birds there are four well-known species; it may, however, be said that the most beautiful species is the one above named, and the subject of these remarks. This species is found in Nepal, Sikhim, and Bootan, in other words, the Eastern Himalayas, while the next species in point of beauty (Ceriornis Hastings) inhabits the Western Himalayas. Both species are indiscriminately called Argus pheasants by Indian sportsmen, which name, however, really belongs to a totally different bird, which is found in Malacca, and certainly has never been met with near the Himalayas. The great difficulty in obtaining and bringing living examples of these birds to Europe has been well-known to all collectors whose previous efforts have failed, and only two recorded instances are known of these birds having reached England alive. Upon the first occasion one male only of Tragopan Temninkii arrived, and upwards of twenty years passed before a second bird of this group made its appearance. In 1857 a female of Ceriornis Hastingsii was brought home by Mr. Thompson, who was sent to India by the Zoological Society to receive and bring home a collection of these and other game birds that had been collected for the society, and also for her Majesty the Queen. Since the above date no others have reached this country until the 31st March in the present year; on that day nine fine and healthy birds arrived-these were six males and three females (as before stated of the species know as Ceriornis Satyra). We are indebted to the zeal, ability, and persevering VOL. IV.-NO. II. G energy of Mr. John J. Stone, assisted by the Rev. W. Smyth, and the Baboo Regrendra Mullick, for obtaining and forwarding these birds to England. The trouble and expense attending the importation has hitherto prevented many from making the attempt the above-named gentlemen did not allow these considerations to stand in the way; hence we have for the first time the opportunity of seeing these magnificent birds in all their glory. Notwithstanding the long voyage, the birds had been so well attended, and every care bestowed upon them, that almost as soon as they were liberated from the coops in which they arrived they began to show signs of breeding, and we have now the gratification of being able to say that two small broods have been hatched, and several eggs are now in the process of incubation, showing at least that these birds are easily adapted to their changed condition, and also that they are very likely soon to be acclimatized. It is quite impossible to convey in writing or drawing a very perfect idea of the extraordinary beauty of the living male bird during the short and almost momentary display he makes while courting the female, on account of the vibratory motion of the head and neck, which, of course, render a drawing imperfect, and it is next to impossible to describe these parts and the appearance of the bird in rapid motion. It is therefore necessary, in order to understand it fully, that it must be seen. We have reason to believe that these birds are monogamus, resembling the partridge in this respect; the eggs, however, bear a close resemblance to those of the wood grouse (Capercaillie), and the young birds when newly hatched are not unlike the chicks of that bird. The wings of these chicks are sufficiently developed as soon as they are hatched to enable them to mount to the branches of trees or shrubs, much like the habits of the tree grouse. In size the young Tragopan equals a chick of the largest Cochin China fowl (when first hatched); its colour is rufous brown, slightly mottled on the back, the wings are marked much like the wings of the female gold pheasant. It is impossible to avoid thinking of the large tree grouse (Capercaillie) when examining these birds; the egg and young, as before stated, strongly resemble, and the habits also of the aduit birds, we are told, are very similar; for instance, they frequent the lofty trees in the pine forests in the Himalayan mountains; they are capable of bearing any amount of cold, feed on berries and tender shoots of plants, etc., etc. Their flesh is excellent, therefore this bird appears to be one of the most desirable to introduce, not only on account of its brilliant colour, and its charming markings, but as a great addition to our table luxuries. It is doubtless a very prolific breeder, and in all probability, if once established in the northern parts of Great Britain, would multiply rapidly. The experiment thus far appears successful, and in every way encouraging. Who knows what may yet be accomplished. when we call to mind the gaudy peacock originally brought from the hot plains of India, and now bred and kept in perfect condition in all his native beauty in almost every place in Europe and America! Look again at the guinea fowl, brought from the hottest parts of Africa, living and breeding wherever it has been introduced, almost like a wild bird. Many other instances could be pointed out if necessary to show what may be done if the proper means are used, and the right people set about it. Mr. T. W. Wood furnishes the following notes from his own observations of these birds in captivity. "The male horned pheasants can only be seen to advantage in the early morning and in the evening, as they conceal themselves during the rest of the day; the females, however, are less retiring in their habits, one or two of them being generally visible at any hour of the day; this is also the case with two young males, which have not yet assumed their adult plumage. I have no doubt that in thus concealing themselves during the bright daylight, the adult male birds, in their wild state, escape the attacks of enemies, to which they must be much more liable than their companions, on account of their attractive colours. "Knowing the birds of this genus to be furnished with ornamental fleshy appendages to their heads, the form and colours of which cannot be preserved after death, I was very anxious to observe them in the living subject. The two horns are situated about half an inch behind each eye; they are about one inch in length, and of a very clear and beautiful light blue colour, with a slight tinge of green in one of the specimens. When the bird is not excited, these horns lie perfectly concealed under two triangular patches of red feathers, their points meeting at the occiput. In addition to the horns, there is a large wattle, which is also concealed or displayed at the will of the bird; it is almost exactly of the shape and size of the human tongue, thin and free at the sides and end, the central part being capable of inflation. This portion, and the naked skin round the eyes, are of a pure ultramarine blue colour; the outer part on each side is deep red, of a tint between carmine. and vermilion, upon which, proceeding from the central blue, are five pointed stripes of pure light blue, their points being directed outwards and slightly downwards; one of these stripes forms an edging to the basal portion of the wattle, the end of which is also broadly edged with the same light blue, which colour extends upwards for a short distance along the margin, and unites with the two lower blue bands at their ends. "The male bird had three distinct modes of 'showing off' (if I may be allowed the expression), the most characteristic of which I have endeavoured to portray in the coloured plate. When this attitude is assumed, the bird, after walking about rather excitedly, places himself in front of the female in the next cage; the body is slightly crouching upon the legs, the tail bent downwards; the head is kept violently jerking downwards, and this causes the horns and wattle immediately to appear. The wings have a flapping motion, and the bright red patch on them is fully displayed. On one occasion I heard a loud tapping noise, as if a person near were knocking the railings with a small stick; it, however, proceeded from the bird, each movement of the wing being accompanied by a tap. I could not understand how this noise could have been produced, as the wings did not touch the ground, except, perhaps, at their extreme ends, which would not be sufficiently stiff to cause such a loud noise; this sound therefore is, no doubt, vocal. The whole of the neck appears to be larger than usual during this action, and also the horns, which vibrate with every movement. This wonderful display is concluded by the bird suddenly drawing himself up to his full height, with the wings expanded and quivering, the horns erect, and the wattle fully displayed. "The bird courts the ladye love' in his own cage, very much after the same manner as the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), by simply erecting all his feathers and elevating one shoulder, thereby exposing a greater surface to view, without, however, showing his head-dress. "The third mode of display is by simply standing boldly erect on an elevated perch, and giving the head one or two sudden shakes, when the horns and wattle appear for a few moments. "The male horned pheasants have two or three distinct call notes; the one most frequently heard is much like the quacking of a duck; another is a loud and somewhat hoarse and plaintive cry, which is repeated at intervals of a few seconds, louder and louder each time. A third note is the "crowing," very different from that of the common pheasant, but accompanied by the same sudden and rapid fluttering of the wings as in that bird. "I may add that the wattle is ordinarily contracted, and concealed by the feathers, no sign of it appearing. The display takes place chiefly, if not exclusively, during the breeding season, and even then it occurs but rarely; and a person who really means to see it must often wait an hour or two, and have a large stock of patience in store. The females are at least one quarter less in size than the opposite sex, and, |