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CHALCOPHASIS SCLATERI.
Sclater’s Monaul.

Lophophorus Sclateri, Jerd. Ibis, 1870, p. 147.—Idem, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 1870, p. 61.—Sclat. Proc. of Zool.
Soc. 1870, p. 162, pl. xiv.—Elliot, Mon. of Phas., vol. i. pl. xx. :

(Chalcophasis) Sclateri, G. R. Gray, Hand-list of Birds, part ii. p. 261.

 

Ir is beyond the eastern extremity of our Indian ter

ritories that we must look for the present fine bird,
where it will doubtless be found in as great an

abundance as the Lophophorus Impeyanus and L. ? Huysi are
in their respective habitats. At present, however, as will be seen in the se

this species is all that has yet been discovered. This was brou
in the valley of Assam, where it was seen by the late Dr.

quel, a single example of
ght down from the hills to a country fair

Jerdon, who at once perceived that, although in a
very indifferent state of plumage, it was an object of great interest and value.

‘safely conveyed to Calcutta, and afterwards to England, where it lived

From Assam it was
and moulted more than once, in the
gardens of the Zoological Society, and where the Fellows and their friends and thousands of visitors had an
opportunity of seeing this fine object in a living state. Ornithologists noted that it was very peculiar in its
actions and economy, and were at a loss to know why a bird of such moping habits, and of such a heavy and
inelegant gait, should have been clothed in so resplendent a dress; yet such is the case, and I quite agree
with Mr. Elliot’s view when he assigned it a separate distinctive generic title; for it certainly does not
assimilate to the Lophophor?, whose movements are at once sprightly and attractive.

Time, and time alone, can unfold to us a correct account of this remarkable bird, as it has done of many
other of nature’s manifold wonders.

Although, as will be seen, Mr. Elliot subsequently changed its generic appellation, he commences his
account of the bird by saying :—‘* This constitutes the third species of the genus Lophophorus, which is distin-
guished by comprising the most brilliantly coloured of the Phasianide. Sclater’s Monaul, however, is not so
handsome as either of the other two species, being destitute of the greater portion of the metallic hues which
cause its relatives to be such attractive objects. The only specimen known, which is now living in the gar-
dens of the Zoological Society of London, was obtained in Upper Assam, described by Dr. Jerdon, and
forwarded by him to the Society.

“T am favoured by Dr. Jerdon with the following short account of the species, which comprises all oe
is known regarding it. ‘At Suddya, our frontier station at the head of the valley of Asa a Nuala, or ie
is held annually in February, to which most of the hill tribes come and are entertained by the Deputy Com-
missioners of the district at the expense of the Government, and get presents of rum, opium, salt, tobacco,
&e. A living specimen of the Ceriornis Blythii was brought down and given to the Deputy Coe
Major Stewart whilst I was with him, by some of the Mishmi tribes. At the aoe time and place Major
Steward also received one living specimen of the Lophophorus Sclateri. i was In very pad plumage ; and
though I saw at once it was a distinct species, I could not then describe it. He brought it to seme and
gave it to Major Montagu. It moulted when in the possession of that gentleman. I wes a oe -
describe it briefly in ‘The Ibis.’ I persuaded Major Montagu to allow me to forward Me i‘ Lis ee t i
Zoological Society. I took charge of it in November, brought it safely to Calcutta, a ay a )
my own to look after it and the specimen of Ceriornis Blythii until they were put on d : ae e
were very tame, and fed readily from the hand. They were particularly fond of the leaves of lettuce anc
cabbage ; I fed them with rice and a

‘«¢ Sclater’s Monaul cannot be said to be very gracetul: oe
the a 7 also large for the size of the bird, causing it to present a ee ae oe a
different from the game-like heads of the other members of this family, an a a ue es s

: : -essino the lengthened crest which is so characteristic and so elegant an
ust Gh a, ee é lso from the peculiar bronze hue of the back, I have
ease foe otter o cae ae oe ae oe ae the appellation of Chalcophasis, or
deemed it best to include this one in a separe g
Bronze Pheasant. : cs, throat, and entire underparts

“Top of the head covered by a short recurved See one ae a lower part; back and a
deep velvety black; back of the pel red eee Sen bronze; primaries brownish black ; rump
metallic green, with blue and purple reflections ; : ae = : f the eae upper. tail-coverts white ;
white, with narrow black lines running ee aoe ie ce covered with spots of black hair-like
tail deep chestnut, tipped with white; bare skin of the face deep :

feathers ; legs and feet brown ; bill greenish horn-colour.
The front figure is about two thirds of the natural size.

the body is thick and heavy, and the legs short ;