PHASIANUS. 205 



ground. Eggs 6-15, 2.19 X 1-48, varying from pale olive-buff to light olive-greenish, 

 speckled, sprinkled, or spotted with deep brown. Hah. Artemisia or " sage-brush" 

 plains of the Eocky Mountain plateau, north into British America, south to New 

 Mexico, Utah, and Nevada 309. C. urophasianus (Bonap.). Sage Grouse. 



Family PHASIANID2E. — The Pheasants, Turkeys, etc. (Page 184.) 



Genera. 



a^. Head feathered, except sometimes on sides (around eyes) ; tail lengthened, 

 gradviated, and vaulted, the feathers usually tapering to a point; plumage 

 of sexes entirely different, the female much smaller than the male, and with- 

 out brilliant coloring. (Subfamily Phasianince.)... Phasianus. (Page 205.) 



«^ Head naked, the skin wrinkled and warted, the forehead with more or less con- 

 spicuous extensile appendage (smaller in females) ; tail moderately length- 

 ened, rounded, not vaulted, the feathers broad and nearly truncated at tips ; 

 plumage of sexes essentially alike, but females duller in color than males. 

 (SuMamily Meleagrince.) Meleagris. (Page 206.) 



Genus PHASIANUS Linn^us.^ (Page 205.) 



Species. 



Common Characters. — Form elegant, carriage graceful, and plumage hand- 

 some (that of the male exquisite). Adult males : Adorned with rich metallic colors, 

 variegated by handsome markings or pencillings. Adult females : Brownish, more 

 or less mottled, spotted, and otherwise varied with dusky, the lower parts, however, 

 chiefly plain buffy brownish. 



a'. Adult males with neck metallic greenish or bluish ; sides of occiput with a more 

 or less conspicuous tuft of elongated feathers. Adult females with all the 

 tail-feathers barred, for their whole length, with blackish and whitish on a 

 mottled brownish ground. 

 I?-, Adult males with breast (sometimes sides and flanks also) rich coppery chest- 

 nut, with metallic purple and coppery reflections. 

 &. Adult male without white on neck ; length about 2\ feet, wing 9.50-10.50 

 inches, tail 17.50-20.00. Adult female : Length about 20.00-24.00, 

 wing 8.50, tail 11.00-12.00. Young male : Similar to adult female. 

 Downy young : " Sides of head, throat, and under parts, yellowish 

 white; forehead dull rusty yellowish, with a dark brown central 

 stripe, which broadens towards the nape ; behind the ear is a black 

 spot ; upper parts generally yellowish, variegated with rusty red 

 and brown, and with blackish brown stripes." (Dresser.) Hah. 



1 Phaaianm LiNN., S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758, 158. Type, P. colchicua Linn. 



