THE PHEASANT FAMILY 7 



nately the mongrel pheasant which we all 

 know best conforms to no one standard 

 which would serve as the type by which 

 we might indicate the varying forms ; the 

 common cock of our coverts is usually a 

 passable imitation of the Chinese bird ; 

 but the old black-necked or common 

 pheasant is very rarely to be met with ; 

 the occasional ringless cock almost in- 

 variably lacking the distinctive brown 

 wing coverts and maroon rump. 



The two parents of our native mongrel 

 are therefore taken as typical, one of 

 each group into which the green-headed 

 pheasants may be divided. No descrip- 

 tion of any species is attempted ; only the 

 particulars wherein he differs from the 

 type of the group being briefly indicated. 



[Table 



