COMMON PHEASANT. 121 



intestine 6 feet 6 inches; of which the duodenal portion is 11, 

 the rectum 6. The coeca are 16^ inches long, their greatest 

 diameter \ § , their extremity obtuse. 



Length to end of tail 35 inches ; extent of wings 32 ; bill 

 along the back 11, along the edge of lower mandible 1/,^ ; 

 tarsus 3 ; first toe j\, its claw 3| twelfths; second toe li, its 

 claw 5i twelfths; third toe 2, its claw ^^^ ; fourth toe 1/^? 

 its claw j%. 



Length of another individual 35 inches ; wing from flexure 

 lOi; tail 20^; bill along the back 1/^, along the edge of 

 lower mandible lj\ ; tarsus 2f ; first toe i\^ its claw j%; se- 

 cond toe lj2-> it^ claw 5i twelfths ; third toe 2^, its claw {'^ ; 

 fourth toe l/o, its claw j% ; spur i. 



The female of this variety I am unable to distinguish from 

 that of the other or common kind. 



There is before me at present an individual in all respects 

 precisely similar to that above described, only that the ring is 

 reduced to a slight spot on each side of the neck, four or five 

 feathers there having a white tip. \Yere these five feathers 

 pulled out, there would be no difference between it and the 

 common bird. 



In general the common ringless Pheasant has the colours 

 somewhat deeper than the ringed variety ; but in both kinds 

 there are slight variations in the colouring. Individuals speck- 

 led or patched w^ith white are not uncommon ; and others en- 

 tirely w^hite are sometimes seen. A more beautiful variety is 

 that which has been named the Bohemian Pheasant, which, 

 like the Ring-necked, may be considered as a distinct race. 

 All the races and varieties breed together, and the produce is 

 equally prolific ; a fact w^hich of itself is sufficient to provo 

 their specific identity. 



Bohemian Pheasant. — This variety is in form, proportions, 

 and texture of plumage, similar to the common. The bill and 

 feet are nearly of the same colour, or somewhat paler. The 

 top of the head is dull grey ; the rest of the head and the upper 

 part of the neck, dark green and blue, but much less glossy 

 than in the common variety. The feathers of the lower part 

 of the neck, the breast, and the sides, have a terminal band of 



