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Inderbir Singh's
Textbook of
HUMAN NEUROANATOMY
 Late Professor Inderbir Singh
(1930–2014)

Tribute to a Legend
Professor Inderbir Singh, a legendary anatomist, is renowned for being a pillar in the education of
generations of medical graduates across the globe. He was one of the greatest teachers of his time. He
was a passionate writer who poured his soul into his work. His eagle's eye for details and meticulous
way of writing made his books immensely popular amongst students. He managed his lifetime to
become enmeshed in millions of hearts. He was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus by Maharshi
Dayanand University, Rohtak.
On 12th May, 2014, he was awarded posthumously with Emeritus Teacher Award by National
Board of Examination for making invaluable contribution in teaching of Anatomy. This award is
given to honour legends who have made tremendous contribution in the field of medical education.
He was a visionary for his time, and the legacies he left behind are his various textbooks on Gross
Anatomy, Histology, Neuroanatomy and Embryology. Although his mortal frame is not present
amongst us, his genius will live on forever.
Inderbir Singh's

Textbook of
HUMAN NEUROANATOMY
(Fundamental and Clinical)
Tenth Edition

Editors
PRITHA S BHUIYAN
MBBS MS (Anatomy) PGDME
Professor and Head
Department of Anatomy
Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

LAKSHMI RAJGOPAL
MS (General Surgery) DNB MNAMS (Anatomy)
Professor (Additional)
Department of Anatomy
Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

K SHYAMKISHORE
MS (Anatomy)
Professor (Additional)
Department of Anatomy
Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

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© 2018, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers
The views and opinions expressed in this book are solely those of the original contributor(s)/author(s) and do not necessarily
represent those of editor(s) of the book.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publishers.
All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
Medical knowledge and practice change constantly. This book is designed to provide accurate, authoritative information about
the subject matter in question. However, readers are advised to check the most current information available on procedures
included and check information from the manufacturer of each product to be administered, to verify the recommended dose,
formula, method and duration of administration, adverse effects and contraindications. It is the responsibility of the practitioner
to take all appropriate safety precautions. Neither the publisher nor the author(s)/editor(s) assume any liability for any injury and/
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This book is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing professional medical services. If such
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Every effort has been made where necessary to contact holders of copyright to obtain permission to reproduce copyright
material. If any have been inadvertently overlooked, the publisher will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the
first opportunity.
Inquiries for bulk sales may be solicited at: [email protected]
Textbook of Human Neuroanatomy
First Edition : 1997 Seventh Edition : 2006
Reprint : 2008 Eighth Edition : 2009
Reprint : 2010 Revised & Updated Eighth Edition : 2013
Ninth Edition : 2014 Tenth Edition : 2018
ISBN: 978-93-5270-148-3
 Preface to the Tenth Edition
The method of teaching Anatomy especially Neuroanatomy has undergone a vast change over the past decade. Medical
students are needed not only to know the facts about the nervous system, but should also know how to apply that
knowledge to ‘localize’ the neurological lesion which means they should correctly identify the ‘site’ and ‘side’ of lesion.
This is possible only with a thorough knowledge of Neuroanatomy. So in this book, we have strived to provide the readers
with ample opportunities to exercise their grey cells and practise this ‘localization’.
We are thankful to all the comments, criticisms and feedback received for the ninth edition. These gave us a direction
to revamp and modify the current edition to fulfill the requirements of undergraduate students.
The current edition has been refined to suit the needs of undergraduate students. This has been achieved by reducing
the total number of chapters to 16 from the previous edition’s 20. This edition will also help the undergraduate medical
students to achieve the required competencies of understanding and describing the gross anatomy of central and
peripheral nervous systems and correlating the anatomical basis of clinical manifestations.
The language has been very simplified so that all students can understand the subject better. New dissection
photographs which are of high resolution have been added as eight plates at the beginning of the book. These are in black
background and have been labelled to help students identify various parts of the brain not just during brain prosection
studies, but even revise later outside of dissection hall or at home. More line diagrams, tables and new flowcharts have
been added to facilitate easy understanding. Anatomical basis of a lot of neurological conditions have been highlighted
in coloured boxes.
A new addition to this edition is that each chapter has a section on “Clinical Cases” which will stimulate the students
to apply what they have learnt in the chapter and find a solution to the problem. This will enhance their clinical problem-
solving skills and help them to hone their competencies as per the evolving ‘Competency-based curriculum’. Each
chapter also has short and long answer questions collated from various university examinations and these will help the
students to do self-assessment and to practise for their examinations.
We would whole heartedly like to thank Mr Jitendar P Vij (Group Chairman), Mr Ankit Vij (Group President) of Jaypee
Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi, India for his useful and innovative suggestion to include photographs
of brain specimens in black background which, we are sure, will be welcome by the students. We would also like to thank
the whole editorial team at Jaypee Brothers especially Mr Sabarish Menon (Commissioning editor), for the constant
support and coordination, Mr Ankush Sharma (Designer), for refining the diagrams and Mr Deep Dogra (Operator), for
type-setting and formatting.
We are grateful to the staff members of Department of Anatomy, Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital especially
Dr Praveen Iyer for the support, Mr Prashant Jadhav and Mrs Jyoti Kerkar for the technical support given.
We are thankful to Dr Avinash Supe, Dean, Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital and Director (Medical Education &
Major Hospitals) for his encouragement to our academic activities.
Last, but not the least, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our family members for bearing with our
preoccupation with the completion of the book.
We hope this edition will be used extensively not only by undergraduate medical and paramedical students but also
by postgraduates and medical teachers.

Pritha S Bhuiyan, Lakshmi Rajgopal, K Shyamkishore

 Preface to the Ninth Edition
Professor Inderbir Singh has been a doyen in the field of Anatomy, and he has been looked upon as a guide and mentor
by many students and teachers. So, it is indeed a great honour for us to edit the ninth edition of ‘Inderbir Singh’s Textbook
of Human Neuroanatomy (Fundamental and Clinical). While editing, this book has provided us an opportunity to revisit
neuroanatomy, we have enjoyed this relook thoroughly.
To highlight what the students should learn from each chapter, ‘Specific Learning Objectives’ have been added. A
comprehensive rearrangement of chapters has been done to make it easy for the students to understand the subject.
Important clinical conditions are given as ‘Clinical Correlation’ in Boxes. Validated ‘Multiple Choice Questions’ have
been added at the end of each chapter for self-assessment. New diagrams and photographs of dissected and plastinated
specimens have been incorporated to make it reader friendly. New tables and flowcharts have been inserted for making
comprehension of neuroanatomy easy. The chapter on ‘Imaging Techniques of the Central Nervous System’ is updated
completely keeping in mind the emerging trends in newer imaging techniques.
We are grateful to the Dean, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, for giving us the permission to edit this
book. We are also thankful to Dr HD Deshmukh, Professor and Head, Department of Radiology, for providing us CT
scans and MRI scans. Our special acknowledgement to Mr Prashant Jadhav for helping us with the photography. Our
special thanks to all our students for making us take up this challenging task despite our academic and administrative
responsibilities. We thank our family members for their continued support.
We hope that this edition will be useful to the students and teachers interested in neuroanatomy, and we welcome
feedback from the readers to improve future editions.

Pritha S Bhuiyan, Lakshmi Rajgopal, K Shyamkishore

 Contents
1. Introduction to Nervous System ........................................................................................................... 1
• Divisions of Nervous System 1
• Tissues Constituting Nervous System 1
• Structure of a Typical Neuron 2
• Classification of Neurons 4
• Nerve Fibres 4
• Classification of Peripheral Nerve Fibres 5
• Myelin Sheath and Process of Myelination 6
• Neuroglia 8
• Neurobiotaxis 8
• Neural Stem Cells 8
• Synapses 8
• Neurotransmitters 9
• Neuromuscular Junctions 9
• Sensory Receptors 12
• Formation of Neural Tube 12
• Development of Brain 13
• Flexures of Brain 14
• Development of Ventricular System 15
• Formation of Neural Crest 16
• Principles of Neuroimaging Techniques 17

2. Spinal Cord—External Features .......................................................................................................... 22

• Dimensions of the Cord 23
• Age-wise Changes in the Cord 23
• Functions of Spinal Cord 25
• External Features of Spinal Cord 25
• Spinal Nerves 25
• Spinal Segments 26
• Segmental Innervation 27
• Spinal Reflexes 30
• Spinal Meninges 31
• Blood Supply of Spinal Cord 32

3. Spinal Cord—Internal Features ........................................................................................................... 36

• Nuclei in Grey Matter 37
• Tracts in White Matter 40
• Ascending Tracts 41
• Descending Tracts 46
• Somatotopic Lamination 51
• Intersegmental Tract or Propriospinal Tract 54
x Textbook of Human Neuroanatomy

4. Brainstem—External Features............................................................................................................. 56
• Functions 57
• External Features of Medulla Oblongata 58
• Blood Supply of Medulla Oblongata 60
• External Features of Pons 60
• Blood Supply of Pons 61
• External Features of Midbrain 61
• Blood Supply of Midbrain 62

5. Brainstem: Internal Features................................................................................................................. 64

• Medulla Oblongata 64
• Section through Medulla Oblongata at the Level of Pyramidal Decussation 65
• Section through Medulla Oblongata at the Level of Sensory Decussation (Lemniscal Decussation) 66
• Section through Medulla Oblongata at the Level of Olive (Mid-Olivary Level) 66
• Pons 68
• Section Through Lower Part of Pons (At the Level of Facial Colliculi) 71
• Section Through Upper Part of Pons (At the Level of Trigeminal Nerve) 73
• Midbrain 74
• Section Through Midbrain at the Level of Inferior Colliculi 75
• Section Through Midbrain at the Level of Superior Colliculi 76
• Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus 78

6. Cranial Nerves.......................................................................................................................................... 81
• Organization of Functional Components of Cranial Nerve Nuclei 83
• Functional Components, Nuclei, Brief Course, and Distribution of Individual Cranial Nerves 85
• Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus 100

7. Pathways of Special Senses.................................................................................................................110

• Olfactory Pathway 110
• Visual Pathway 113
• Auditory Pathway 119
• Gustatory Pathway 120

8. Cerebellum.............................................................................................................................................124
• External Features 124
• Subdivisions of Cerebellum 126
• Grey Matter of Cerebellum 128
• White Matter of Cerebellum 131
• Connections of Cerebellum 133
• Cerebellar Peduncles 133
• Connections Between Cerebellum and Spinal Cord 135
• Connections Between Cerebellum and Cerebral Cortex 135
• Functions of Cerebellum 136
• Cerebellum and Learning 137
• Arterial Supply of Cerebellum 138
• Cerebellum: The Rule of Three 138
 Contents xi

9. Diencephalon........................................................................................................................................141
• Thalamus (Dorsal Thalamus) 141
• Metathalamus 150
• Hypothalamus 152
• Epithalamus 157
• Ventral Thalamus 160
• Arterial Supply of Diencephalon 160

10. Cerebral Hemispheres: External Features........................................................................................163

• External Features of Cerebral Hemispheres 164
• Superolateral Surface of Cerebral Hemisphere 168
• Medial Surface of Cerebral Hemisphere 169
• Inferior Surface of Cerebral Hemisphere 169
• Functional Areas of Cerebral Cortex 170
• Structure of Cerebral Cortex 175
• Neurons in Cerebral Cortex 176
• Laminae of Cerebral Cortex 176
• Variations in Cortical Structure 177
• Arterial Supply of Cerebral Cortex 177
• Lateralization of Cerebral Hemispheres 178

11. White Matter of Cerebral Hemispheres ..........................................................................................183

• Association Fibres 183
• Commissural Fibres 184
• Corpus Callosum 184
• Projection Fibres 186
• Internal Capsule 186
• Ascending Fibres (Corticopetal Fibres) 188
• Descending Fibres (Corticofugal Fibres) 189
• Arterial Supply of Internal Capsule 190

12. Basal Nuclei (Basal Ganglia) ...............................................................................................................193

• Caudate Nucleus 194
• Lentiform Nucleus 194
• Connections of Corpus Striatum 195
• Ventral Striatum and Pallidum 197
• Blood Supply of Basal Nuclei 198

13. Limbic System and Reticular Formation ..........................................................................................200

• Amygdaloid Nuclear Complex 201
• Septal Region 203
• Hippocampal Formation 204
• Fibre Bundles of Limbic Region 206
• Reticular Formation of the Brainstem 206
xii Textbook of Human Neuroanatomy

14. Autonomic Nervous System...............................................................................................................211

• Efferent Autonomic Pathway 211
• Sympathetic Nervous System 212
• Autonomic Plexuses 215
• Parasympathetic Nervous System 215
• Neurotransmitters of Autonomic Neurons 216
• Afferents Accompanying Autonomic Pathways 216
• Enteric Nervous System 218
• Autonomic Nerve Supply of Some Important Organs 218

15. Ventricles of the Brain and CSF Circulation.....................................................................................228

• Lateral Ventricles 228
• Third Ventricle 232
• Fourth Ventricle 233
• Cerebrospinal Fluid 236
• Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier 238

16. Meninges and Blood Supply of Brain................................................................................................241

• Meninges 241
• Arteries Supplying Brain 246
• Venous Drainage of Brain 251
• Blood-Brain Barrier 253

Answers to Clinical Cases.......................................................................................................................................255

Glossary......................................................................................................................................................................257
Eponyms....................................................................................................................................................................263
Index...........................................................................................................................................................................267

Color Plates
Chapter 1 Introduction to
Nervous System

Specific Learning Objectives

At the end of learning, the student shall be able to:
¾¾ Specify the divisions of nervous system
¾¾ Describe the structure of a typical neuron
¾¾ Classify neurons, nerve fibres and neuroglia
¾¾ Describe myelination
¾¾ Define and classify synapses
¾¾ Define neuromuscular junction
¾¾ Define and classify various sensory receptors
¾¾ Describe the formation of neural tube and its derivatives
¾¾ Enumerate the derivatives of neural crest cells
¾¾ Correlate the embryological basis of relevant congenital anomalies
¾¾ Enumerate the principles of neuroimaging techniques

INTRODUCTION
impulses rapidly from one part of the body to another. The
The human body consists of numerous tissues and organs,
specialized cells that constitute the functional units of the
which are diverse in structure and function, yet they
nervous system are called neurons. Within the brain and
function together and in harmony for the well-being of the
spinal cord, neurons are supported by a special kind of
body as a whole. There has to be some kind of influence
connective tissue that is called neuroglia.
that monitors and controls the working of different parts of
the body. The overwhelming role in directing the activities
of the body rests with the nervous system. Neuroanatomy
is the study of the structural aspects of the nervous system.
It cannot be emphasized too strongly that the study of
structure is meaningless unless correlated with function.

DIVISIONS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system may be divided into the central
nervous system (CNS), made up of the brain and spinal
cord, the peripheral nervous system (PNS), consisting
of the peripheral nerves and the ganglia associated with
them (Figures 1.1 and 1.2, Table 1.1). The brain consists
of the cerebrum, diencephalon, midbrain, pons,
cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The midbrain, pons,
and medulla oblongata together form the brainstem. The
medulla oblongata is continuous below with the spinal
cord (Figure 1.2).

TISSUES CONSTITUTING NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is made up, predominantly, of tissue
that has the special property of being able to conduct Figure 1.1: Anatomical divisions of the nervous system
2 Textbook of Human Neuroanatomy

TABLE 1.1: Classification of nervous system

Central nervous system Peripheral nervous system
Telencephalon (cerebrum)
Forebrain (prosencephalon) Cranial nerves I and II
Diencephalon
Brain
Midbrain (mesencephalon) Cranial nerves III and IV
(encephalon)
Metencephalon (pons and cerebellum)
Hindbrain (rhombencephalon) Cranial nerves V to XII
Myelencephalon (medulla oblongata)
Spinal cord (myelon) 31 pairs of spinal nerves

The neurofibrils in the cytoplasm consist of

microfilaments and microtubules (Figure 1.3D). The
centrioles present in neurons are concerned with the
production and maintenance of microtubules. Some
neurons contain pigment granules (for example,
neuromelanin in neurons of the substantia nigra). Aging
neurons contain a pigment, lipofuscin (made up of
residual bodies derived from lysosomes).

Neurites
The processes arising from the cell body of a neuron are
called neurites. These are of two kinds. Most neurons
give off a number of short branching processes called
dendrites and one longer process called an axon. The
differences between axon and dendrite are summarized
in Table 1.2 (Figure 1.3C).

Axoplasmic Flow
The cytoplasm of neurons is in constant motion.
Figure 1.2: Parts of the central and peripheral nervous system Movement of various materials occurs through axons. This
axoplasmic flow takes place both away from and towards
the cell body. Axoplasmic transport of tracer substances
STRUCTURE OF A TYPICAL NEURON
introduced experimentally can help trace neuronal
A neuron consists of a cell body that gives off a number of connections.
processes called neurites (Figures 1.3A and B).
Clinical Anatomy
Cell Body
Role of Axoplasmic Transport in Spread of Disease
The cell body is also called the soma or perikaryon. Some infections, which affect the nervous system travel along
The cytoplasm contains a large central nucleus (usually nerves.
with a prominent nucleolus), numerous mitochondria, • Rabies virus, from the site of bite, travels along nerves by
lysosomes and Golgi complex (Figure 1.3B). The cytoplasm reverse axoplasmic flow.
• Polio virus is also transported from the gastrointestinal tract
also shows the presence of a granular material that stains
through reverse axoplasmic flow.
intensely with basic dyes called Nissl substance (also • Tetanus bacteria, in contrast, travels from the site of infection
called Nissl bodies or granules) (Figure 1.3C). These to the brain along the endoneurium of nerve fibres.
bodies are rough endoplasmic reticulum (Figure 1.3B).
Other documents randomly have
different content
all these colours are comparatively indistinct, and the reddish brown
of the throat but little conspicuous. The eye is light brownish red,
the beak horn-grey, and the foot either reddish or pale yellow. The
length is seven inches and a half, and the breadth thirteen inches;
the wing measures four inches and the tail one inch and three
quarters.
This species is found in most parts of the Old World. It arrives on the
south coast of Europe and the islands of the Grecian Archipelago in
immense flocks about April, and thence spread over Europe.
"The European Quails," says Jerdon, "are found throughout India in
considerable numbers during the cold weather, most migrating
during the rains and breeding elsewhere, but a few pairs remaining
and breeding in various parts of the country, especially towards the
west and north-west. The Grey Quail, as it is termed in India,
generally rises singly or in pairs, but considerable numbers are found
together; and in some localities and in certain seasons it occurs in
great profusion, and affords excellent sport to the gunner. It is found
in long grass, corn-fields, stubble, and fields of pulse, wandering
about, according as crops ripen in different parts of the country. It is
less numerous towards the south of India than farther north." In
Great Britain it has been considered as a summer visitor; but,
according to Yarrell, many instances have latterly been recorded of
its occurrence in Ireland, as well as in England, during the winter
months.
This Quail is likewise met with abundantly in Syria and Judæa, and
there seems to be little doubt of its identity with the Quails so
frequently mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. "We have," says
Tristram, "a clear proof of the identity of the Common Quail with the
Hebrew selac, in its Arabic name, salwa, from a root signifying 'to be
fat'—very descriptive of the round, plump form and fat flesh of the
Quail. The expression 'as it were two cubits high above the face of
the earth' probably refers to the height at which the Quails fly above
the ground. There are several expressions in the scriptural account
which are borne out by observations of the habits of the Quail. At all
times its flight is very low, just skimming the surface of the ground,
and especially when fatigued it keeps close, never towering like the
Partridge or Sand Grouse. It migrates in vast flocks, and regularly
crosses the Arabian desert, flying for the most part at night, and
when the birds settle they are so utterly exhausted that they may be
captured in any numbers by the hand. Notwithstanding their
migratory habits, they instinctively select the shortest sea passages,
and avail themselves of any island as a halting-place. Thus in spring
and autumn they are slaughtered in numbers on Malta and many of
the Greek islands, very few being seen till the period of migration
comes round. They also fly with the wind, never facing it like many
other birds." "The Israelites 'spread them out' when they had taken
them before they were sufficiently refreshed to escape; exactly as
Herodotus tells us that the Egyptians were in the habit of doing with
Quails—drying them in the sun."
Brehm mentions having been a witness to the arrival of a huge flock
of Quails upon the coast of North Africa, and tells us that the weary
birds fell at once to the ground completely exhausted by their
toilsome journey, and remained there for some minutes as though
stupefied. On recovering somewhat, they did not again take wing,
but continued their journey apparently on foot. In Africa they
occasionally take up their quarters in stubble-fields and cultivated
districts, but principally frequent the vast steppes, and wander about
singly from spot to spot. During the summer they prefer fruitful
plains and the vicinity of corn-fields, carefully avoiding mountains or
marshy localities. The popularity of these birds is in a great measure
due to the pleasant sound of their clear, resounding cry, which
during the breeding season enlivens the whole district in which they
live. Upon the ground they move quickly but ungracefully, with tail
hanging down and neck drawn in, each step being accompanied by
a slight nod of the head. Their flight is very rapid, and occasionally
changes to a beautiful hovering motion. Even towards its own
species the Quail is extremely unsocial and frequently most
pugnacious, displaying the latter quality not only towards its rivals,
but to its mate, who is often very roughly treated. The females
exhibit a somewhat more amiable disposition, and besides being
careful of their own offspring, prove excellent foster-mothers to such
young birds as have lost their parents. Whilst the sun is high the
Quails remain concealed among the long grass and weeds, and
about noon indulge in a sand-bath; the succeeding hours are also
spent in a state of quiescence, but the sun has no sooner set, than
they become brisk and fully alive to the necessity of going in search
of food or picking a quarrel with some rival. At this time their
agreeable call may be said to be almost incessant. Seeds, small
portions of plants, but principally insects, constitute their usual diet,
the process of digestion being assisted by the swallowing of small
stones. They do not require much water, the dew affording them in
most instances all the moisture they need; for this reason they are
rarely met with at any drinking-place. Although insect nourishment is
decidedly preferred by the Quail, it has been fed for months together
simply on grain and wheat. It would appear that this bird is
polygamous, and it is even stated on good authority that it will mate
with birds of entirely different species. The nest, formed by the hen
of small portions of plants and placed in a corn-field, is not
commenced till the beginning of the summer months. The eggs,
from eight to fourteen in number, are large and pear-shaped, with a
glossy, light brown shell, very variously marked with a deeper shade.
The hen broods about twenty days, and testifies such devotion to
her precious charge as often to sacrifice her life rather than quit the
nest, while her mate goes forth with his companions into the
neighbouring fields. The young grow rapidly and soon leave their
parents' care, for by the time they are six weeks old they have
attained their full size, and can fly well enough to join in the autumn
migration. Immense numbers of Quails are annually captured on the
shores of the Mediterranean, and the island of Capri so abounded in
them that we are told some of its ancient bishops derived the
principal part of their revenue from this source. Waterton assures us
that no less than 17,000 of these delicate birds have been conveyed
to Rome in one day.
The DWARF QUAILS (Excalfactoria), the smallest members of this
family, represent a group distinguished from those already described
by the rounded form of their wing, in which the third, fourth, and
fifth quills are longer than the rest, the first being much shorter than
the second; and the unusual difference observable in the plumage of
the male and female. According to Latham, the scientific name given
to these birds has arisen from a custom the Chinese have of using
them to warm their hands upon during the winter. The various
species inhabit India, the Malay Islands, and Australia.

THE CHINESE QUAIL (Excalfactoria Chinensis).

THE CHINESE QUAIL.

The CHINESE QUAIL (Excalfactoria Chinensis) is a very beautiful bird,
with the entire mantle of an olive-brown, each feather having a dark
and light line on its shaft; the quills of the wing-covers are without
these markings, though some few of the shoulder-feathers are
striped with deep red. The brow, cheeks, breast, and sides are of a
rich, deep grey; the throat is black above, and white, surrounded by
a black line, beneath; the centre of the breast, the belly, lower tail-
covers, and tail are of a beautiful brownish red. The coloration of the
female is less varied in its tints; her chin is merely indicated by a
small white patch, and the light brown breast is striped. The eye of
both is dark brown, the beak black, and the foot bright yellow. The
length of the male is five inches and a quarter, and the breadth nine
inches: the tail measures but one inch. The female is not quite so
large as her mate.

Plate 28. Cassell's Book of Birds

LAGOPUS MUTUS ____ PTARMIGAN
(about one half Nat. size)
 [See larger version]
This beautiful little Quail is found all over China, the Malay Islands,
and in many parts of India, but is rare in the latter country, except in
Bengal and the neighbouring provinces.
"I have killed it," says Jerdon, "only once in the Carnatic. It occurs
occasionally in Central India and in the Upper Provinces, as far as
Bareilly, but it is rare in all these localities, and perhaps only
stragglers find their way so far. In Lower Bengal it is tolerably
abundant in low grassy meadows, the borders of indigo-fields, and
in the grasses on roadsides; and in Purneah, in the month of July, it
was the only Quail I observed."
This species breeds in July, the eggs being pale olive-green. When
the young are full-grown they spread themselves all over the
country, and this dispersion is greatly assisted and in many parts
perhaps caused by the heavy inundations to which great part of the
country in Bengal is annually subjected, generally in August and
September. In the cold season they are replaced by the Grey Quail
and the so-called Rain Quail.
These birds, according to Bernstein, live by preference in thick,
extensive wilds, where they are easily hidden between high stalks of
plants, but nevertheless visit the fields and pastures in the vicinity of
dwellings. Their quiet and retired mode of life makes it difficult to
observe their habits. They take wing unwillingly, and avoid danger
rather by running or squeezing themselves through sheltering plants
than by flight. Their note is gentle, beginning loud and gradually
becoming softer, "du, du, du," or "du, du, hi." Their food consists of
insects, worms, and a variety of seeds; Bernstein himself kept them
on grasshoppers and various insects. He several times found their
nest, which was in a little hollow of the ground, scraped by the
mother, and in this she prepared her bed of dry grass, stalks, and
roots. In none of these nests were there more than six eggs; these
are of a greyish olive-green, or olive-brown, more or less thickly
sprinkled with numerous olive-brown specks. Bernstein tells us that
these birds retain their shyness when tamed, and often injure
themselves by beating against their cage; but Swinhoe says that in
Canton they are highly esteemed as cage-birds, and may be pretty
regularly found in the markets there. Latham informs us that this
species, as well as the Common Quail, is used by the Chinese to
warm their hands in winter, as may be seen in many drawings and
paper-hangings from China, and that many of these birds are made
into pies as a delicacy for Europeans during their voyage home. They
are caught in China as in Europe by means of a call-pipe.

The BUSH QUAILS (Turnices) are small birds with slender bodies,
moderate-sized rounded wings, in which either the first quill is the
longest, or the three first are of equal length. Their tail is composed
of from ten to twelve narrow, weak feathers, and so small as to be
almost entirely concealed beneath the upper and lower tail-covers;
the medium-sized, straight, thin beak is high at its culmen and
slightly arched towards its tip; the nostrils are situated at either side
of the bill, and are partially covered with a small fold of skin; the
delicate feet have long tarsi, and usually three or occasionally four
toes.
The Bush Quails are spread over the whole of the Eastern
Hemisphere, but are quite unknown in the western division of the
globe. Australia would, however, appear to be their principal head-
quarters, for in that country, according to Gould, they are met with
in every part that has as yet been explored, except in the
neighbouring islands. Everywhere they select open plains, stony
tracts covered with grass, or mountain sides, and in such situations
lead a life so retired as to render their capture a work of some
difficulty, except during the breeding season. At that time both sexes
lay aside their usual shy, quiet deportment, and exhibit the most
fierce pugnacity towards all their companions. The strangest part of
these encounters is that they are not confined to the males, as is
usually the case, the females being fully as jealous and as violent as
their mates, and, like them, constantly engage in such furious
encounters as nearly to cost them their lives. Owing to this peculiar
temperament these birds are trained by the Asiatics as fighting-cocks
are in Europe. The nest is composed of grasses, and is placed in a
hollow on the surface of the ground, under the shelter of a tussock
of grass. The female usually lays four pear-shaped eggs.

THE BLACK-BREASTED BUSTARD QUAIL.

The BLACK-BREASTED BUSTARD QUAIL (Turnix pugnax), a well-known
species of the above group, has the foot furnished with only three
toes. The feathers on the mantle are of a dark brown tipped with
crescent-shaped black and rust-red spots; the region of the eye,
bridles, and cheeks are white, spotted with black; the wings are
greyish brown, spotted with black and white; the quills are edged
with white on the outer web; the throat is deep black, and the lower
breast and belly bright rust-red; the rest of the plumage resembles
that of the male. The eye is white, the beak light grey, and the foot
dark yellow. This species is six inches long; the wing measures three
inches, and the tail one inch. The female is considerably larger than
her mate.
This interesting bird, which has long been a domestic favourite with
the Hindoos and Malays, is very common in Java, where, as
everywhere else, it frequents grassy patches in the forests and
jungles, low bushy jungle, or fields of dhal and other thick crops
near patches of brushwood; but it is rarely found in barren country,
or in cultivated ground where there is no shelter. It feeds on various
kinds of grain, small insects, and grasshoppers. The call of the
female is a peculiar, loud, purring sound.
"The hen birds," says Jerdon, "are most pugnacious, especially about
the breeding season; and this propensity is made use of in the south
of India to effect their capture. To this end a small cage with a
decoy-bird is used, having a concealed spring compartment made to
fall by the snapping of a thread placed between the bars of the
cage. This is set on the ground in some thick cover, carefully
protected. The decoy-bird begins her loud purring call, which can be
heard a long way off, and any females within earshot rapidly run to
the spot and commence fighting with the caged bird, striking at the
bars. This soon breaks the thread, the spring-cover falls, at the same
time ringing a small bell, by which the owner, who remains
concealed near at hand, is warned of a capture, and at once runs
up, secures his prey, and sets his cage again in another locality. In
this way I have known twelve to twenty birds captured in one day in
a patch of jungle in the Carnatic, where only I have seen this
practice carried on. The birds that are caught in this way are all
females, and in most cases are birds laying eggs at the time, for I
have frequently known instances of some eight or ten of those
captured so far advanced in egg-bearing as to lay their eggs in the
bag in which they were carried before the bird-catcher had reached
my house."
The eggs, which are usually laid in a hollow in the ground, behind a
bush, or sheltered by a stone, are from five to eight in number, of a
dull stone-grey or green tint, thickly spotted and freckled with dusky
yellowish brown; they are blunt in shape and very large in
proportion to the bird. The affection of the male of this species for
its offspring would appear to be by no means inferior to that of the
mother; for we learn from Swinhoe that upon one occasion, having
succeeded in capturing two young Bustard Quails that were almost
fully fledged and placed them in a cage, he observed the female
parent, as he supposed, clucking like a hen, as it ran and crept
about the prisoners in a vain endeavour to lure them out of their
strange abode. In order to secure a specimen the bird was shot, and
on examination proved to be a male. The Javanese rear this species
on rice and small grasshoppers, and train both sexes to fight for
their entertainment.

THE AFRICAN BUSH QUAIL.

The AFRICAN BUSH QUAIL (Turnix Africanus, or T. Gibraltariensis), one
of the largest members of the group, is about six inches long; the
sexes resemble each other in the coloration of their plumage, but
the female is of much greater size, and fully one-third heavier than
her mate. The dark brown head of the male is enlivened by three
yellow streaks, and the back marked with irregular black and brown
zigzag lines; the feathers of the wing-covers are yellow, with a black
spot on the outer and a reddish yellow spot on the inner web; the
throat is white, and the region of the crop reddish brown, each
feather being edged with a lighter tint; the sides are reddish brown,
with a few dark spots, and shade gradually into the pure white that
covers the belly; the outer webs of the quills have light edges; the
eye is yellow, the beak yellowish, and the foot lead-grey.
This species is found in many parts of Sicily and Spain, and
stragglers are sometimes seen in the plains of Languedoc; it is met
with also in the north of Africa, especially among the thickets and
dwarf palms of Mount Atlas. Tristram informs us that a nest found in
Algeria was most carefully concealed in thick bushes, and contained
several eggs, slightly spotted, and of a purplish blue shade.

THE COLLARED PLAIN-WANDERER.

The COLLARED PLAIN-WANDERER (Pedionomus torquatus) has the foot
furnished with four toes. The beak, which almost equals the head in
length, is straight and compressed at its tip; the wings are short and
shell-shaped, with the first, second, and third quills of equal size; the
tail is short, the tarsus long, and the hinder toe placed high. In this
species the top of the head is reddish brown, spotted with black; the
brow and sides of the neck are light fawn-colour, dotted with black;
the broad white band on the throat also shows black spots; the
mantle-feathers are reddish brown, striped with black, and edged
with reddish yellow; the middle breast is red, the rest of the under
side fawn-colour, each of the feathers being marked like those on
the back, whilst those at the sides exhibit broad irregular black
spots; the tail-feathers are striped with blackish brown. The eye is
straw-colour, the beak yellow, with black tip, and the foot greenish
yellow. The male is four inches and a half long, and his wing three
inches and a quarter, whilst his mate, who also surpasses him in the
beauty of her markings, is not less than seven inches long; her wing
measures three inches and a half, and the tail of both sexes one inch
and a quarter.
"The structure of this singular little bird," says Gould, "is peculiarly
well adapted for inhabiting the arid and extensive plains that
characterise the eastern portion of Australia. The lengthened and
courser-like legs of the Collared Plain-Wanderer are admirably suited
for running, while its short, round wings are as little fitted for
extensive flight. Its general contour suggests the idea of a
diminutive Bustard. On its native plains this bird has many singular
habits, particularly that of secreting itself among the scanty herbage,
or of remaining quiet on the bare ground until it is nearly trodden
upon before it will rise, and when it does take wing its flight is more
contracted than that of any other bird with which I am acquainted."
Sir George Grey states that these birds are migratory; appearing at
Adelaide in June, and disappearing about January. While running
about they are in the habit of raising themselves in a nearly
perpendicular position on the extremities of their toes, so that the
hinder part of the foot does not touch the ground, and of taking a
wide survey around them.
"While in confinement," says the same observer, "these birds eat
pounded wheat, raw boiled rice, bread, and flies; the latter appear
to be their favourite food. They soon become perfectly tame. The
three in our possession we have had for upwards of four months.
The call of those we have in confinement precisely resembles that of
the Emu—not the whistle, but the hollow-sounding noise, like that
produced by tapping on a cask, which the Emu utters—but is, of
course, much fainter."
Gould received from Mr. Strange a fully-developed egg, taken from
the ovarium of the female, which in general character resembled
those of the Turnices. It was somewhat suddenly contracted at the
smaller end. The ground-colour was stone-white, sprinkled with
small blotches of umber-brown and vinous grey, the latter tint
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell, the sprinkled
markings predominating at the larger end. The egg was one inch
and one-eighth long, and seven-eighths of an inch broad.
 THE AFRICAN BUSH QUAIL (Turnix Africanus, or T. Gibraltariensis).

The Phasianidæ of Brehm comprise not merely the PHEASANTS

PROPER, but all nearly allied groups. The members of this important
division generally possess a comparatively slender body, medium-
sized or short and much rounded wings, and a long or broad tail,
composed of from twelve to eighteen feathers. The moderately long
bill is much vaulted, with its upper mandible curved over the lower
part of the beak, and occasionally prolonged into a sharp, nail-like
tip; the rather high foot is furnished with long toes, and in the male
is armed with a spur; the partially bare head is sometimes adorned
with combs and lappets of skin, and sometimes with horn-like
appendages or tufts of feathers. The plumage is glossy and
brilliantly coloured. This family is almost entirely confined to the
Eastern Hemisphere, only two species being found in America; and
even in the Old World their distribution is nearly completely
restricted to the warmer part of the Asiatic continent and its
dependent islands.

The TUFTED PHEASANTS (Lophophori) constitute a group

distinguishable by their short, rounded tail, the feathers of which are
not placed as in most other Pheasants, but present a fan-like
arrangement.

THE MONAUL, OR IMPEYAN PHEASANT (Lophophorus resplendens,

refulgens, or Impeyanus).

THE MONAUL, OR IMPEYAN PHEASANT.

The MONAUL, or IMPEYAN PHEASANT (Lophophorus resplendens,
refulgens, or Impeyanus), possesses a comparatively powerful body,
moderate-sized wings, and a rather long tail, composed of sixteen
feathers. The upper mandible is curved and sharply pointed at its
tip; the foot is of medium height, that of the male furnished with a
spur. The plumage of the male is magnificently coloured and very
glossy; the region of the eye is bare, and his head decorated with a
crest formed of numerous feathers; these are denuded of web at the
roots and very broad at the extremities. The head and throat of this
beautiful bird are of a metallic green, the crest is also of that hue,
but resplendent with a golden sheen; the nape and upper part of the
throat are of such a glossy purple or carmine-red that they gleam
with all the brilliancy of the ruby; the lower parts of the throat and
back are bronze-green, shaded with gold; the rest of the mantle, the
wing and upper tail-covers are brilliant violet or blueish green; some
few feathers on the under side are white, but its surface is
principally black, shining with green and purple on the centre of the
breast, and lustreless on the belly; the quills are black, the tail
reddish brown; the eye is brown, the bare place that surrounds it
blueish; the beak is dark grey, and the foot greyish green. The
length is twenty-six and the breadth thirty-three inches; the wing
measures from eleven to eleven and a half inches, and the tail eight
inches and a quarter. The female is white upon the throat, the rest
of her plumage being pale yellowish brown, spotted, striped, and
marked with dark brown. The primary quills are blackish, the
secondaries and tail-feathers striped black and brownish yellow. The
size of the female is inferior to that of her mate.
We have from the pen of "Mountaineer" a full account of the life of
the Monaul, but we cannot help regretting that such an excellent
observer should look upon this magnificent species with the eye of a
sportsman rather than with that of a naturalist. "The Monaul is found
on almost every hill of any elevation, from the first great ridge of the
Himalayas above the plains to the limits of the wooded district, and
in the interior it is the most numerous of the game-birds. When the
hills near Mussooree were first visited by Europeans it was found to
be common there, and a few may be still seen on the same ridge
eastwards from Landour. In summer, when the rank vegetation
which springs up in the forest renders it impossible to see many
yards around, few are to be met with, except near the summits of
the great ridges jutting from the snow, where in the morning and
evening, when they come out to feed, they may be seen in the
green glades of the forest and on the green slopes above. At that
time no one would imagine they are half so numerous as they really
are, but as the cold season approaches, and the rank grass and
herbage decay, they begin to collect together. The wood seems full
of them, and in some places hundreds may be put up in a day's
work. In summer the greater number of males and some of the
females ascend to near the limits of the forests, where the hills
attain a great elevation, and may often be observed on the grassy
slopes a considerable distance above. In autumn they resort to those
parts of the forest where the ground is thickly-covered with decayed
leaves, and descend lower and lower as winter sets in, and the
ground becomes frozen or covered with snow. If the season be
severe, and the ground covered to a great depth, they collect in the
woods which face south or east, where the snow soon melts in the
more exposed parts, or descend much lower down the hill, where it
is not so deep, and thaws sufficiently to allow them to lay bare the
earth under the bushes and sheltered places. Many, particularly
females and young birds, resort to the neighbourhood of the villages
situated up in the woods, and may often be seen in numbers in the
fields. Still, in the severest weather, when fall after fall has covered
the ground to a great depth, many remain in the higher forests
during the whole winter; these are almost all males, and probably
old birds. In spring all in the lower parts gradually ascend as the
snow disappears.
"In the autumnal and winter months numbers are generally collected
together in the same quarter of the forest, though often so widely
scattered that each bird appears to be alone. Sometimes you may
walk for a mile through the wood without seeing one, and suddenly
come to some part where, within the compass of a few hundred
yards, upwards of a score will get up in succession: at another time,
or in another forest, they will be found dispersed over every part—
one getting up here, another there, two or three farther on, and so
on for miles. The females keep more together than the males; they
also descend lower down the hills, and earlier, and more generally
leave the sheltered woods for exposed parts, or the vicinity of the
villages, on the approach of winter. Both sexes are found separately
in considerable numbers. On the lower part or exposed side of the
hill, scores of females and young birds may be met without a single
old male; while higher up, or on the sheltered side, none but males
are to be found. In summer they are more separated, but do not
keep strictly in pairs, several being often found together. It may be
questioned whether they do pair or not in places where they are at
all numerous; if they do, it would appear that the union is dissolved
as soon as the female begins to brood, for the male seems to pay no
attention whatever to her whilst sitting, or to the young when
hatched, and is seldom found with them.
"From April to the commencement of the cold season, the Monaul is
rather wild and shy, but this soon gives way to the all-taming
influence of winter's frosts and snows; and from October it becomes
gradually less so, till it may be said to be quite tame, but as it is
often found in places nearly free from underwood, and never
attempts to escape observation by concealing itself in the grass or
bushes, it is perhaps sooner alarmed and at a greater distance than
other Pheasants, and may therefore appear at times a little wild and
timid. In spring it often rises a long way in front, and it is difficult to
get near it when it again alights, if it does not at once fly too far to
follow; but in winter it may often be approached within gunshot on
the ground, and when flushed it generally alights on a tree at no
great distance, and you may then walk quite close to it before it
again takes wing.
"In the forest, when alarmed, it generally rises at once without
calling or running far on the ground; but on the open glades, or
grassy slopes, or any place where it comes only to feed, it will, if not
hard pressed, run or walk slowly, in preference to getting up; and a
distant bird, when alarmed by the rising of others, will occasionally
begin and continue calling for some time while on the ground. It
gets up with a loud fluttering and a rapid succession of shrill
whistles, often continued till it alights, when it occasionally
commences its ordinary loud and plaintive call, and continues it for
some time. In winter, when one or two birds have been flushed, all
within hearing soon become alarmed: if they are collected together,
they get up in rapid succession; if distantly scattered, bird after bird
slowly rises—the shrill call of each alarming others still farther off till
all in the immediate neighbourhood have taken wing. When
repeatedly disturbed by the sportsmen or shikaries, they often take
a longer flight.
"In spring, when the snow has melted in every part of the forest,
and they have little difficulty in procuring food, they appear careless
about being driven from any particular spot, and often fly a long
way; but in winter, when a sufficiency of food is not so easily
obtained, they seem more intent on satisfying their hunger, and do
not heed so much the appearance of man. The females seem at all
times much tamer than the males. The latter have one peculiarity,
not common in birds of this order; if intent on making a long flight,
an old male, after flying a short way, will often cease flapping his
wings, and soar along with a trembling, vibratory motion at a
considerable height in the air. At such times, particularly if the sun
be shining on his brilliant plumage, he appears to great advantage,
and certainly looks one of the most magnificent of the Pheasant
tribe."
The call of the Monauls is a loud, plaintive whistle, which is often
heard in the forest at daybreak or towards evening, and occasionally
at all hours of the day. In severe weather, numbers may be heard
calling in different quarters of the wood before they retire to roost.
The call has rather a melancholy sound, or it may be that as the
shades of a dreary winter's evening begin to close on the snow-
covered hills around, the cold and cheerless aspect of nature with
which it seems in unison make it appear so. In autumn the Monaul
feeds chiefly on a grub or maggot which it finds under decayed
leaves; at other times it subsists on roots, leaves, and the young
shoots of various shrubs and grasses, or when obtainable, on acorns
and other seeds and berries. In winter it often feeds in the wheat
and barley fields, but does not touch the grain; roots and maggots
seem to be its only inducement for digging amongst it. At all times
and in all seasons it is very assiduous in the operation of digging,
and continues at it for hours together. In the higher forests, where
large open plots occur quite free from trees or underwood, early in
the morning or towards evening these localities may often be seen
dotted over with Monauls all busily engaged at their favourite
occupation.
The Monaul roosts in the larger trees, but in summer, when near or
above the limits of the forest, will often sleep on the ground in some
steep rocky spot. The female makes her nest under a small
overhanging bush or tuft of grass, and lays five eggs of a dull white,
speckled with reddish brown; the chicks are hatched about the end
of May. By some persons, according to "Mountaineer," the flesh of
the Monaul is thought equal to that of the Turkey, while others think
it scarcely eatable. In autumn and early winter the females and
young birds afford excellent food, but from the commencement of
spring they deteriorate in that respect. The same writer tells us that
in autumn, when the leaves have fallen from the trees and an
extensive view through the wood is allowed, he has frequently stood
till twenty or thirty have got up and perched on the branches, and
then he has walked up to the different trees and fired at them in
succession without disturbing any but those which were quite close
to the spot. The Monaul is easily kept in confinement, and in that
condition has bred in England; it appears quite capable of enduring
the severity of our winter.

LHUYS' PHEASANT.
LHUYS' PHEASANT (Lophophorus Lhuysi). This newly-discovered
species, which has received the name of Lophophorus Lhuysi from
Geoffrey St. Hilaire, in honour of the French minister of that name,
differs from the Monaul chiefly in the ornamentation of its head and
tail, the feathers of its crest being acuminate instead of spatulated,
and its tail of a greenish bronze adorned with white spots.
This bird inhabits the northern slope of the Great Himalaya range,
while the Impeyan Pheasant occupies the southern slope of the
same mountains. The female of this species resembles the Hen
Monaul.

The TRAGOPANS, or HORNED PHEASANTS (Ceriornis), have a

powerful body, moderate-sized wing, and short, broad tail composed
of eighteen feathers. The bill is very short and rather weak, while
the strong, flat foot is furnished with a spur. Two small, fleshy, horn-
like appendages are situated behind the bare patch around the eye,
and the naked skin on the throat is prolonged so as to form a pair of
pendent lappets. The rich plumage of the male lengthens into a
crest at the crown of the head, and is most beautiful both in its hues
and markings, whilst that of the female is comparatively of sombre
tint.

THE SIKKIM HORNED PHEASANT.

The SIKKIM HORNED PHEASANT (Ceriornis Satyra) is of a bright carmine-
red on the brow, crown of the head, nape, and shoulders; a broad
band, that passes from the temples to the back of the head, and a
narrow line around the lappet at the throat, are also of the same
glowing hue; the upper back, breast, and belly are red, enlivened
with white spots edged with black; the mantle and upper tail-covers
are brown, but each feather is delicately striped with black, and has
a black spot at its extremity; some of the feathers on the upper
wing-covers are also dotted with red, the dark brown quills are
bordered and streaked with dull yellow; the tail-feathers are black,
striped with dark brownish yellow.
The eye is deep brown, and the foot yellowish brown; the fleshy
appendages and lappets are blue, spotted here and there with
orange-yellow. The male is twenty-seven inches long, the wing
measures eleven inches and a half, and the tail eleven inches. The
plumage of the female is principally brown, darkest on the back, and
enlivened by numerous black and red spots and streaks, as well as
by the white shafts and dots of the feathers. Her length is only
twenty-four inches, and that of her tail ten inches.
This species, which was the first known to naturalists, inhabits the
Nepaul and Sikkim Himalayas, being more abundant in the former. "I
have," says Jerdon, "seen it in spring at an elevation of about 9,000
feet above the level of the sea; and in winter it descends to between
7,000 and 8,000 feet in the vicinity of Darjeeling, and perhaps lower
in the interior. It is frequently snared by the Bhotees and other Hill-
men, and brought alive for sale at Darjeeling. Its call, which I have
heard in spring, is a low, deep, bellowing cry, sounding like "waa-
ung-waa-ung." Its general habits are no doubt similar to those of the
C. melanocephala, which have been more accurately described."

THE SIKKIM HORNED PHEASANT (Ceriornis Satyra).

THE JEWAR, OR WESTERN HORNED PHEASANT.

The JEWAR, or WESTERN HORNED PHEASANT (Ceriornis melanocephala),
differs from the species last mentioned principally in the
predominance of black in the coloration of the under side. In the
male the feathers on the top of the head are black, with red tips; the
nape, upper part of the throat, and shoulder are scarlet; the feathers
on the mantle dark brown, ornamented with very delicate black lines
and, towards their extremities, with small black-edged white spots.
The feathers on the breast and belly are black, spotted with white,
and slightly shaded with red; the quills are pale black, spotted and
edged with brown; the tail is black, striped with brown and white at
the ends of the feathers. The eye is nut-brown, the bare patch that
surrounds it bright red, while the fleshy horns are pale blue; the
lappets on the throat are purple, dotted with light blue at the sides,
and bordered with flesh-pink; the beak is horn-grey, and the foot
reddish. The male is from twenty-seven to twenty-eight inches long,
and from thirty-five to thirty-six broad; the wing measures ten inches
and a half; and the tail ten inches. The plumage of the female is
varied with different shades of brown and black on the upper parts
of the body, and with greyish brown, black, and white on the under
side; the back is enlivened by pale yellow markings, and the under
side by irregular white spots. The length of the female is twenty-
three inches, the breadth thirty-one inches and a half; the wing
measures nine inches and a half, and the tail eight inches and a half.
(See Coloured Plate XXX.)
These birds are found from the western borders of Nepaul to the
extreme North-west Himalayas; they are not very common near
Simla and Mussooree, but are more plentiful near Almora.
"Their usual haunts," says "Mountaineer," "are high up, not far from
the snows, in dense and gloomy forests, where they live either alone
or in small scattered parties. In winter they descend the hills, and
then their favourite haunts are in the thickest parts of the forests of
oak, chestnut, and morenda pine, where the box-tree is abundant,
and where under the forest trees a luxuriant growth of 'ringalt' or
the hill bamboo forms an underwood in some places almost
impenetrable. They keep in companies of from two or three to ten or
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