The ARGUS PHEASANT, or KUAU (_Argus giganteus_). This magnificent species
has the feathers on the upper and primary quills unusually prolonged,
and broad at the tips; their shafts are soft, and the web of firm, stiff
texture; the secondaries, on the contrary, are very short. The moderately
long beak is compressed at its sides, slightly vaulted, bare at its base,
and hooked at its tip; the long weak foot is without a spur; the tail,
composed of twelve feathers, is very long and much graduated, the two
centre feathers far exceeding the rest in length; the sides of the head
and throat are bare, with the exception of a few black hairs; the brow,
top of the head, and back of the head, on the contrary, are covered with
a growth of small velvety feathers. The coloration of the plumage is more
remarkable for the delicacy of its markings than for the brilliancy of
its hues. The short feathers on the crown are deep black, those on the
back of the neck striped yellow, and those on the nape and upper back
brown, marked and dotted with light yellow. The yellowish brown feathers
on the centre of the back are yellowish grey, with round dark brown
patches; those on the under side striped and marked with reddish brown,
black, and light yellow. The outer web of the secondary quills is entirely
greyish red, thickly dotted with spots of shaded brown, whilst the inner
web is marked with delicate white dots at its base. The long feathers of
the upper wing-covers are of a beautiful dark reddish brown, marked with
pale greyish red, dark brown, and yellowish white streaks of tracery, and
enlivened by large lustrous round spots or eyes. These eyes are situated
on the outer web, and are more perceptible upon the feathers of the second
order than on the shoulder. The longest tail-feathers are black, the
shafts grey on the inner and reddish brown on the outer side; both sides
of the web are decorated with a white spot, surrounded by a black edge;
the exterior tail-feathers are similarly coloured, and have their numerous
spots placed in rows. Rosenberg tells us that the head and bare parts of
the throat are light greyish blue, and the feet red. This fine bird is
from five and a half to six feet long; of this measurement four feet are
included in the tail. The length of the real wing is seventeen inches:
that of its longest feather twenty-eight inches and a half. The hen is
much smaller and more quiet in appearance. The feathers on her head are
striped black and yellow; those on the upper breast and nape are of a fine
reddish brown, marked with black; those on the other parts of the back
striped brownish yellow and black; the under side is light brown, with
undulating black and yellow lines; the primary quills are brown marbled
with black; and the feathers on the upper and lower covers dark reddish
brown, marked in a similar manner with a lighter shade.
[Illustration: _Plate 29. Cassell's Book of Birds_