THE ARGUS PHEASANT, OR GIGANTIC ARGUS.

Argus giganteus.—TEM MINCK.

PLATE VIII.

Argus or Luen, Philosophical Transactions, 55, p. 88.—L'Argas ou Luen, Buffon.-Argus Pheasant, Phasianus Argus, Latham's General History, viii. p. 206.-L'Argus, Argus giganteus, Temminck, Pigeons et Gallinacés, ii. 411.— Synopsis, iii, 679.

THIS superb bird presents a very singular form among the Gallinaceous order, one which has puzzled most ornithologists into what genus it was to be placed, until Temminck thought of forming one to contain itself. It is chiefly remarkable for the superabundant development of its plumage, particularly that of the wings; while its colours, though possessing little of the brilliant splendour of those which we have past, by a union of chaste tints and harmonious blending, produce an effect at once unique, striking, and pleasing.

The descriptions and figures were long imperfect, by reason of the skins being transmitted to Europe in a mutilated state, the head and feet being often wanting, and the wings only being sent. It was described in the Philosophical Transactions, and

also in those of Batavia, by the Baron Cuvier, but from imperfect specimens. Dr Latham collects the information of his predecessors, and that afforded to him by Dr Buchanan, and his figure of the Malay Peacock, evidently this bird, is taken from General Hardwick's drawings; the description in Sonnini's edition of Buffon is extracted from the Philosophical Transactions. M. Temminck appears to have been the first to have described this bird, from a series of specimens received from Batavia, where, with some other birds of splendid plumage, they form an article of commerce, and are exported as ornaments to different parts of dress, screens, or drapery. It is a native of Sumatra, probably some others of the Indian islands, but principally of the peninsula of Malacca; and although said, generally by ornithological writers, to inhabit China and Chinese Tartary, there exists no proof of specimens having been brought from thence.

In size the Argus is not larger than an ordinary fowl, but the length to the end of the two long tail feathers, is five feet three inches, these last being of themselves three feet eight inches. It is impossible to convey any idea of the markings and blending of the shades on many parts of this bird, and the following description will serve as only an indication of the colours. The throat, the anterior part of the neck, and the cheeks, are naked, or nearly so, having only a few black hairs dispersed over them. The head and back of the neck are covered with

THE ARGUS PHEASANT, OR GIGANTIC ARGUS. 167

The lower part of the

short velvetty feathers. neck, breast, belly, and thighs, are reddish brown, each feather regularly spotted with dull yellow and black; the upper part of the back, and lesser wing coverts, are covered with large black spots, separated by a narrow line of an ochreous tint; the upper tail covers are of a clear ochreous yellow, with brown spots; the longest of a paler tint, with the spots thicker than upon the back, and of a reddish brown in the centre. The tail is of a deep chestnut, sprinkled with white spots, surrounded with a black ring. The wings, of which the secondaries are three times the length of the quills, being about two feet ten inches long, from their unwieldy size, almost entirely deprive the bird of flight, but greatly accelerate its pace when running, and, acting as powerful sails, furnish it with a mode of transportation or escape, possessing great fleetness. The power of flying, however, adds M. Temminck, is not altogether denied to it; it sometimes rises from the ground, but the flight is always heavy, and kept up only for a short way, and upon these organs, and particularly upon the secondaries, is lavished the greater part of the beautiful adornment. When at rest, or not excited, these spots are hardly visible, but when in the presence of his females, the wings are expanded and trailed upon the ground, displaying their beauties as the peacock exhibits his train, or the turkey his tail. At this time the tail is comparatively spread, and is raised erect. When it rests, it is carried in a line