TETRAOPHASIS OBSCURUS.

Mou-Pin Snow-Partridge.

Lophophorus obscurus, J. Verreaux, N. Arch. Mus. v. Bull. p. 33, pl. vi. (1869).

Tetraophasis obscurus, Elliot, Monogr. Phasian., i. pl. xxi. (1871).—Swinhoe, P. Z. S., 1871, p. 399.—David, N.
Arch, Mus. vii. Bull. p. 95 (1871).

 

Pére Armanp Davin and Mr. Swinhoe really seem to have been rivalling each other for the last few years
in the discovery of new and undescribed species of birds from the Chinese Empire. The subject of our
plate, however, would have probably remained in obscurity for years to come, had it not been for the
adventurous French missionary, who has visited not only the parts of China usually accessible to Europeans,
but also the most outlying portions on the frontiers of Thibet, and the distant provinces of the interior.
The present species was procured by him in Mou-Pin, and must be regarded as one of the most interesting
of his discoveries. Although placed by its original describer in the genus Lophophorus, of which it exhibits
certain peculiarities, it cannot be denied that it is closely allied to the Snow-Partridges (Tetraogallus), to
which Mr. Elliot likewise recognizes its affinity.

All that has hitherto been recorded of the habits of the species is embodied in a short note of Pére David’s,
published in the ‘ Nouvelles Archives’ of the Paris Museum, as above quoted.

Writing on the game-birds of Mou-Pin, he observes :—‘ The splendid Lophophorus Lhuysti frequents
the elevated prairies which surmount the region of forests, as at Kokonoor, at an altitude of 4000 metres ;
but the species is not at all numerous. The Zetraophasis obscurus and Ithaginis Geoffroy stop lower down,
in the middle of the woods, which they never leave, any more than Pucrasia wvanthospila, which is also found
in these mountains. As regards the magnificent Zhaumalea Amherstia, it is found in the woods where the
wild bamboos grow in abundance, between an altitude of 2000 and 3000 metres. The Zhaumalea picta
lives a little lower still, towards Setchuan, and avoids the localities affected by its congener of the white-
and blue-banded hood. Ceriornis Temminckii and Phasianus decollatus (which for me is only a variety
of P. torquatus) are the most abundant Pheasants of the whole west of the Chinese Empire; the inhabitants
snare them in the thickets and woods of the smaller mountains.”

The accompanying account of the species is extracted from Mr. Elliot’s ‘ Monograph of the Phasianide.’

‘‘This curious bird is one of the late discoveries of the French missionary Pére David, and was described
by M. Jules Verreaux in the Archives of the Museum of Paris as Lophophorus obscurus. It cannot be con-
sidered to belong to that genus, although in some characters it resembles its members, but represents an
entirely new genus, and apparently connects a portion of the Phasianide with the Snow-Partridges or
Tetraogalli.”

‘“‘M. Verreaux says, ‘ This species, which at first sight calls to mind the appearance of Tetraogallus, was
sent to the Paris Museum in the last collection of R. P. David, who discovered it in his journey to Thibet.
The five individuals, representing different ages and sexes, prove not only that the species is new to science,
but also that it belongs to the genus Lophophorus, in which we have not hesitated to place it. It only
remains for us to know the habits of the bird, which we shall, without doubt, find in the notes which are on
their way, our indefatigable traveller having been ill when he sent the ese collection.’

‘The sexes resemble each other in plumage, the only difference being that the female is destitute of
spurs. é ‘

‘The species may be described as follows :—Top of head and cheeks greyish brown ; hind part of neck
and back rufous brown; wings dark brown, feathers tipped with yellowish white ; panna dark brown ;
rump grey; upper tail-coverts very pale brown ; on chestnut, eee u a ee uae
white ; upper part of breast dark grey, each feather ve a eee. line of ad 7 : a blac Nae at
the tip; flanks rufous brown, tipped with yellowish white ; middle of abdomen ye a i fe fe i. -
having their outer webs chestnut ; under tail-coverts dark chestnut, ae oe oe 3 oe
white tips ; the chestnut divided from the white by a narrow black line; tail-feathers ae : a ie aes
then a broad band of black, and tipped with white; bare skin of face red ; feet and tarsi horn-colour.

The figures are about the size of life.

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