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Show 1879.] THE F E M A L E O F C E R I O R N I S BLYTHII. 459 p. 1 72), the true habitat of this species is recorded, viz. the Burrail range, at from 6000 to 10,000 feet. The following extracts from a letter written by Lieut. Mac-gregor, of the 44th Sylhet Light Infantry, on the habits of Ceriornis are very interesting ; and I cannot do better than give the observations in his own words :-" This bird inhabits the high ranges of the Naga hills; it is found at altitudes ranging from 9000 to 5000 feet, most frequently on the Burrail range, near Khonomah. The Nagas say that it does not migrate, but in the winter months it descends from the higher ranges down to 5000 feet. This is the season that specimens of the bird are generally obtained. The modus operandi is as follows :-Nooses are placed in the paths that the birds are known to frequent, and a large number of men are employed as beaters: they drive the birds before them slowly and quietly up to the traps (if they made too much noise probably the birds would take to flight). The specimens that I have now in my possession eat worms and a kind of red berry. One that I had last year in the Naga hills used to eat dhan (unhusked rice). Out of three that were brought away from the hills only one arrived alive in Calcutta; but this was in the hot weather. The young female has a plumage very like that of a hen Floriken (Sypheotides bengalensis) ; when it gets older it assumes a plumage more like the cock, becoming red on the throat and on the back. The cry of the birds is like the sound ' ank' repeated several times. The Nagas give the bird the name of ' Nee.' The Nagas say that the Argus lays three eggs ; but as this was in answer to a leading question, I cannot vouch for it." As Polyplectron chinquis and two species of Ceriornis are mentioned in a paper by Mr. Sclater read before this Society a short time ago, as laying only two eggs, it is very probable that the Naga information is accurate ; for these people have a wonderful knowledge of all the beasts and birds and of their habits. In such forests, and exposed to so much danger from many formidable enemies, the parent birds can seldom rear more than two at a time : they are driven to roost in the low trees in comparative safety; and in such a position the hen could only take one chick under each wing. A greater number of eggs could be only a waste of life, and would, if hatched out, only encumber the mother, and possibly lead to her own destruction ; for it must be remembered that in dense forests, cats and other small predatory mammals have the great advantage of being able to stalk their prey, and approach unseen to within a yard or two. |