-118 TIIK FlLVniliREI) TKIIIES. 



THE A'AUIECATED I'HEASAN'l'. 



This bird is only an acciclentiil varietj', ^^■]uch differs in its pliiiuago from the common 

 kind. This may be owing to some alteration in the jnices which minister to the 

 development of the feathers. "White is the predominant colour, marked in various parts 

 with the other hues of the plumage of the common pheasant. 



(Such singular varieties in the plumage of the pheasant arc partly attributable to 

 domestication. Even in such circumstances they are rarely multiplied, and examples cf 

 this kind are not common among the wild sjDecies. 



It is said by gamekeepers, that individuals Avith this variegated plumage preser^•c it 

 only for a few years, and then resume the biiUiant colours peculiar to the species. If 

 this be true, it proves that the variation in question is owing to some vice in the con- 

 stitution of the birds. It is, however, certain that similar changes take place in many 

 species of birds. Instances have been known of sparrows, finches, and larks, which were 

 white or whitish at first, and after a few uKiultings recovered their natural plumage. 



It is possible that extreme age may cause this degradation ; but, even then, its 

 proximate cause appears to be some irregularity in the moulting. In all other cases, it 

 appears to be the result of accident, always excepting those northern birds AN'hich turn 

 white in winter. 



THE WHITE PHEASANT. 



This bird, reminding us of the white peacock, is a variety in which white is wholly pre- 

 valent, but by no means pure. Like that of the bird just mentioned, the plumage bears the 

 impressions of the colours proper to the species, but verj'' slightly sketched. ]\Ioreovcr, 

 few individuals arc found to have the entire body covered Avith white feathers. >Some 

 plumes richly decorated are to be found here and there. Latham says that there are a 

 few black spots about the neck, and some rufous ones on tlic scapulars. 



Such, then, is a brief sketch of this interesting and beautiful family of the Gallme. 

 The precedence must be assigned, as to form and colour, to the Argus pheasant. " No 

 language," says Cuvic r, " could rejjresent the Aarious tints, and demi-lints, and shades 

 that prcA'ail throughout its plumage. It Avould seem as if Nature, after having lavished, 

 and, as it Avere, exhausted, all her brilliancy of colouring on so many birds, had taken a 

 pleasure in assembling upon this every variety of her soberer hues ; unsatislled Avith 

 having charmed our sight Avith the I'csplendency of purple, gold, and azure, in the 

 peacock, the bird of paradise, and the humming-bird, she appears desirous of revealing 

 to us all the resources of her art, by producing the most elegant and harmonious shades 

 CA'cn from the refuse of her inimitable pallet." 



In ti state of captivity, the young pheasants require much care. The most critical 

 period for these birds is AA'hen the tail begins to shoot . J t is necessary that the troops of 

 young ganui should be sufficientlj' removed from each other, to prevent their ages from 

 being confounded. The neighbourhood of those Avhich arc strong is dangerous to the 

 fceV)lo. In the greater part of the space appropriated to them there should be plenty of 

 grass, and a sufHciont number of small, thick-tufted bushes, that eacli group of l)irds may 

 have one Avithin reach : this is a matter of indispensable necessitj'. 



I'heasants lay toAvards the end of April ; it is then necessary to collect the eggs every 

 evening, for otherwise thej' Avould bo often broken or devoured by the hens themselves. 

 To procure them Avith greater facility, it is necessary to feed a certain number of hens all 

 the year round. iSeven of those are shut uj) willi ;i cock, in separate inclosures, which 

 arc coA-ered Avitli a net. The separation between two oi' these enclosures should bo 

 sufliciently thick to prevent tlie pheasants in one seeing those in another ; if the cocks 



