CHAPTER IX 



The Japanese Pheasant {Pkasianus Versicolor) 



The Japanese Pheasant is an extremely handsome species, 

 and one that will readily hybridise with various other birds 

 of the genera, such as Colchiciis, Torquatus, Mongolicus, etc., 

 and the offspring be perfecdy fertile, but it cannot be regarded 

 as a successful bird for introduction into coverts, as the suc- 

 ceeding generations after the first one, at any rate when mated 

 with the common ring-necked Pheasant, have proved more 

 or less a failure. 



The author cannot say that these remarks are applicable 

 when mated with Mongolicus, as the vigorous constitution of 

 these birds seems to not only assert itself, but reassert itself, 

 from one generation to another. The influence exercised by 

 P. Versicolor is not sufficiendy stable ; therefore, the beautiful 

 plumage characteristic of these birds is soon abolished, unless 

 re-established from generation to generation. 



With reference to the cross between a Japanese and the 

 common Pheasant, Tegetmeier has the following remarks, on 

 page 171, in his work on Pheasants : — 



" The cross between the Japanese and the common 

 Pheasant is a bird of brilliant plumage, easy to rear, of greater 

 size than the average of English birds, and the flesh is very 

 tender and well flavoured. In Norfolk this very beautiful 

 cross was introduced some few years back by Mr J. H. 

 Gurney, who bred most successfully, both at Euston and 

 Northrepps, and from the birds he obtained at Knowsley sale, 



60 



