TAB. LXIL.
TRAGOPAN SATYRUS. :

 

Tuts beautiful bird, so long classed among the Pheasants, but ultimately raised to the rank of a separate
genus, was the only species known previously to the publication of the “Century.” It was with no little

 

 

pleasure that we found among our stores from the Himalayan district a second species, the Zragopan
Hastingsu, which is figured in the following Plate. To these may be added a third, which Mr. Gray
of the British Museum has lately introduced to science, dedicating it to that celebrated ornithologist
M. Temminck.

The genus Tragopan appears to take an intermediate station between that of Meleagris and the more
typical Phasianide, forming one of the links of a chain connecting these groups of the Rasor1az Order. The
affinity of this genus to that of Meleagris is evident in many characters ; nor are some wanting which indicate
a relationship to Mumida, and even to Francolinus ; but many links have yet to be discovered before the
deficiencies can be filled up ; and a patient analysis of the forms of the Rasor1at Order is yet required before
the intricacies in which the subject is enveloped can be thoroughly disentangled. With reference to the
present elegant species, it is an exclusive inhabitant of the colder regions of the mountains, in conjunction
with the Lophophorus, its proximate relative; feeding on grains and roots, the larve of ants and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

insects.
The head is ornamented with a crest of elongated narrow feathers, of which those arising from the forehead

and the top of the head are black, those from the occiput rich scarlet maroon; the naked circle around the
eye as well as the fleshy horns and wattles are of a mingled blue, purple and red colour; the throat, sides of
the head and back of the neck are black; the rest of the neck rich scarlet maroon; the back and upper
surface are olive brown marked with black bars, zigzag lines, and irregular spots of white ; the shoulders
approach to a blood-colour; the quills and tail are blackish brown; the under surface blood-colour or
scarlet maroon, with numerous white spots encircled with a margin of black; the beak brown; the tarsi

 

 

 

 

 

 

light brown.
The figure is that of an adult male, two thirds of its natural size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ih aati hc