The Himalayan snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis himalayensis is a typical alpine bird in Mt.Tian

Xinjiang

China.We did field work form April to August 1988 at Aiwell Gully

in eastern Mt.Tian

and several hides were located at 2800～3400m for field observation.At the Aiwell gully

snowcocks were found from 2800m～3400m at the top of the mountainwhere 2 vegetation zones could be found

the alpine meadow where the snowcock usually lives and

above 3 400m

weathered rocks with little vegetation.The snowcock is a gregarious birds occuring in autumn and winter usually in flocks of 15～20indivi-duals.The males usually began calling at 6:00～6:30a.m.In the first 30 min

calling was al-ways between males in different flocks on different hill crests.The call was a clear and loud whistle.Later

calling occurred between the birds in the flock and the calls of male and female were quite differ-ent.Cock birds sang clearty and loudly with the call lasting about three seconds

gradually quickening and rising in pitch.The hen's call was soft

gradually going down the scale and lasting only 2s.Theynever called on rainy or foggy days.When the total sunshine time in a day was 10～13h

the birds usually fed for 8h

at 7:00～11:00a.m.and 17:00～20:00p.m.

and often did not go to roost until 23:00p.m.Home ranges of snowcock occupied 1.0km2

including the distance between adjacent slopes orsometimes three slopes.In the morning when the sun rose

the birds glided about half way down themountain side

and then walked back uphill while feeding.At about 19:00p.m.

the birds glided downto return to the origi-nal starting place.On rainy and foggy days

the bird seldom flew or glided butstayed at the same high place for feeding.The breeding season of the snowcocks was from late May to early July.From our observationsthey were monogamous.The males established breeding territories by fighting over about 5 days.Atpairing time

the males frequently flew for short distances giving short and rapid calls

pecking crestand neck feathers and pursuing each other

fighting from boulders to ground or from ground to boul-dors.These fights often lasted several hours.Areas once occupied by a flock were now occupied by a pair.Birds which failed to win a fightsoon flocked and moved to a higher region from 3400～3600m

leaving the best habitat for the breeders.Each pair remained in this area for the whole breeding season.We saw only one pair on each hill

i.e about 1～2 pair/kin2.Once the territory was established

calling by males on each side of the mountain every morningan-nounced possession.Courtship by snowcocks was mutual and simple.The bird's neck ruff and tail were extended

andthe white of the underta(?)l-coverts was shown.At intervals

the male often made a dash to a small rockor mound which it ascended.Then

the male walked slowly around the female with head bending

stepping on to the female's back to copulate.Copulation lasted about 5s each time.We found 8 nests at 2 800～3 400m.All the nests were located in small caves by sleep cliffs.The nest was a simple hollow with some dry grass

wool and down.The average external diameter of the 8 nests was 30～35cm and depth 5cm.Egg-laying began inearly May

usually with 8 to l0 eggs in a clutch.The colour of the egg varied from very pale to yellow-ish stone

with pinkish-brown or chocolate spots.The eggs were a long oval

with average size 67×45mm.Incubation was by the females only

and lasted for about 30 days.During incubation

the activi-ties of both sexes were much reduced.They seldom caged except in alarm.In contrast non-breeders called frequently and loudly at 3400～3600m.This behaviour seemed to attract the attention of predators and may therefore have beenhelpful for the breeders.Chicks grew quickly

and they can fly short distances when about 20 daysold.Even at 3 months old they still roosted with their parents.Birds of prey such as Buteo buteo and Falco cherrug were the main natural enemies

and some carni-vores

for instance fox and wolf

also caught both youngs and adults at nigth.The local people widely believe that the flesh of snowcocks has useful medical properties.Thishunting is a real problem for the protection of this bird.