THE COMMON PHEASANT 



sides the same, each feather largely tipped with black, 

 reflecting glossy purple. Feathers of upper part of back, 

 orange-red tipped with black ; feathers of black and 

 scapulars have the centre black, or spotted with black, 

 outside which is a yellowish band, and the outer margin 

 red-orange. Lower part of back and tail coverts, purplish 

 red, tinged with green, purple and other reflections — the 

 feathers long and pendant ; quill feathers, dull greyish- 

 brown, varied with pale wood brown ; wing coverts, of 

 two shades of red ; centre of belly, thighs, vent and under- 

 tail coverts, brownish-black. Tail feathers very long, the 

 two middle ones the longest, occasionally measuring 2 

 feet ; the outside ones, which are the shortest, are less than 

 6 inches long. All are of a reddish-brown, with trans- 

 verse lines of black, about i inch apart. Legs, toes 

 and claws, dusky ; on each leg is a spur, which becomes 

 sharp after the first year. 



" The female is less than the male ; the whole plumage 

 more sober ; general colour, light brown, varied with 

 darker brown and black ; the upper part of the neck in 

 some lights shows iridescent reflections ; space round the 

 eye is feathered ; breast and belly, dotted with small black 

 spots on a light ground. Tail short, but barred similarly 

 to that of the male." 



Elliot, in speaking of P. Colchicus, has some very 

 interesting remarks concerning this bird, and as the 

 monograph containing it is a remarkably scarce work, 

 the author considers it will be of interest to reproduce 

 Mr Elliot's remarks : — 



" No member of the Phasiatiidcc has been longrer or 

 more generally known than the above-mentioned species of 



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