MRS HUME’S PHEASANT “Nong-in” – A flagship bird of Manipur

The Hume's Pheasant is lovingly called Loining-koi or Noining-koi or Nong-in, in Manipuri or Wa-ru in Lamkang or Tikaren in Tangkhul. The bird is, indeed, very colourful and attractive. It usually resides near rivers with rocky hillsides abundant with scrub forests. The people of Manipur had the belief that the eternal soul of an orphan or a loving couple dying from hunger and thirst transformed themselves into an elegant-looking pair of birds to be known as Nong-in. In fact, this bird earned its name 'Nong-in' because of its ability of knowing changes in weather conditions or cycle of cloud in the sky (Nong- meaning rain, in - meaning to follow: one knowing the rain/weather cycle). Admired by lyricists and naturalists of all ages, Nong-in is often described as the most talented lover of song, dance and moonlight. 

Nong-in in Manipur appears very rare and vanishing. Its past range covers Ukhrul, Valley of Barak River and its tributaries, mouth of Thoubal River etc between 900-1800 metres. Here the bird was frequently seen along the open dry evergreen, mixed pine-broadleaf forests on the steep rocky hillsides, interrupted by scrub and grassy plains. Roosts were mainly located along ridges, and in other relatively open areas. They often spend time by feeding and resting in pair scenes of rejoicing in mud-bathing or sunbathing continues hours together or till eventide. When a sudden danger or change of weather was sensed, the frenzy birds crawled behind the rock-clefts with noisy calls. When a pair from a cleft-shelter started calling, another pair nearby responded, and thus within a short period the whole air is filled with a chord of their calls. Trawlers took advantages of it for locating the presence of the bird. 
In October 2005,  a 60-70 aged Tamenglongian revealed his past experiences of Nong-in, locally known as Azuina/Thangding in Rongmei (these names are not certain) in small flocks mostly one male with three-four females near brooks with rocky hillsides and plenty of sand deposits along the course. They came out mostly during early morning and after a feeding all through the morning, they perched and took rest. Frequently a bird or so lays over its one wing and the other wing and legs, stretching out in one direction, which may be a form of complete rest in tranquil environment.
They perched and took rest. Frequently a bird or so lays over its one wing and the other wing and legs, stretching out in one direction, which may be a form of complete rest in tranquil environment.