PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



in flight. During repose the tail feathers do, to a considerable 

 extent, cover one another, but when in flight they are spread 

 out in a lateral manner. 



The head is covered by a white cap of feathers, and 

 beneath this there is a black band extending from the base 

 of the beak to the back of the skull where it unites with the 

 corresponding band on the other side of the face, and 

 encircling the eyes. Below this is a broad white collar, 

 which is again followed by a dark-coloured band, but not 

 so broad as the collar. This alternate arrangement of light 

 and dark markings stands out in strong contrast with what 

 may be termed the " general body colour." 



The feathers along the back to the wing coverts and 

 towards the black band on the neck, are of an intense yellow, 

 the margin of each feather being black. The wing coverts 

 are white, and their margins also black, whilst the feathers 

 on the breast and below the wing coverts are white, with 

 cinnamon-coloured margins. There is a peculiarity in the 

 arrangement of the feathers, and the only term that the 

 author knows which will express this arrangement is that 

 of "imbricated," i.e., overlapping at their margins. 



The number of feathers comprising the tail is usually 

 eighteen, and these, as previously stated, are barred, the 

 ground colour being of a creamy white or faint grey. 



Many game - preservers have tried crossing Reeves' 

 Pheasant with other species, and some of these experiments 

 have been a success and others not so, but there is a 

 consensus of opinion that the Reeves' Pheasant will hybridise 

 well with the common Pheasant, and also with the Chinese, 

 the Golden Pheasant, and the Silver Pheasant, and that the 

 product of such mating is generally very satisfactory, more 

 especially with the common Pheasant. 



Reeves' Pheasant crosses particularly well with P. Colc/ncus, 



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