Himalayan
Quail
The Himalayan quail (Ophrysia superciliosa) or mountain quail is a
medium-sized quail belonging to the pheasant family. It was last
reported in 1876 and is feared extinct.
The red bill and legs of this small dark quail and white spots before
and after the eye make it distinctive.
Specimens are
known from
·
Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), Mussoorie (1836,
2 specimens, type locality)
·
5 km to the north-west of
Mussoorie, between Badraj and Benog, 1,850 m. (November 1865, 1 specimen, 1
lost)
·
Jharipani, 5 km to the south of
Mussorie, c.1,650 m (November - June 1867/68 or 1896/70, 4 specimens total)
·
Eastern slopes of Sher-ka-danda near
Nainital, 2,100 m (December 1876, 1 specimen)
Indian records seem unlikely
given that the area is well populated, the habitat extensively
altered by human
activity, and recent surveys have not located birds. Tourism is a key economic
factor of the region, so it seems unlikely that these birds could escape the
eyes of observers.
No comments:
Post a Comment