Tragopan, << TRAG uh pan, >> is the name of five species of quaillike birds. Tragopans live in forests high on mountain slopes of southern and central Asia. Males have a bright-colored lappet (loose-hanging skin) on the throat, and a pair of blue, fleshy, erectile horns on each side of the head. Both lappet and horns become enlarged and brilliant during the mating season.
Tragopans eat insects, leaves, fruits, and seeds. They nest in trees. Most other pheasants nest on the ground. Their white eggs are slightly speckled with dull lilac. Tragopans are shy. Hunters usually snare them by driving them slowly toward nooses.
