6o 



The Talisch Pheasant, which is regarded as a sub- 

 species of the " Common " Pheasant, differs mainly in 

 having a distinctly pinkish tinge on the breast and 

 flanks, which can be readily seen in the living bird, 

 when one compares it with the specimen of the Com- 

 mon Pheasant in the next compartment. The hen 

 birds are practically the same in each case. 



The so-called " Common " Pheasant in its wild 

 and pure type is decidedly a rarity in this countr3% as 

 nearly all the Pheasants of our coverts are cross-bred 

 birds, and the Ring-necked type predominates ; the 

 pure bred birds being rarely imported. 



The Mongolian Pheasant, one of the finest of the 

 true Pheasants (genus Phasiamcs) is represented by a 

 fine male. It is only of late years that this bird has 

 been seen alive in Britain, the first the Zoological 

 Society ever acquired had been sold to them as an 

 ordinary Ring-necked Pheasant, and was thought to be 

 such until Mr. Tegetmeier, one of our chief authorities 

 on Pheasants, recognised it as this splendid species. 

 It was in sorry condition when it came, with a broken 

 tail, and a general woe-begone appearance, but, after 

 the moult, it became a very handsome bird. I believe 

 that the specimen at the Gardens now is the same 

 individual. 



The Ring-necked Pheasant, coming from China, 

 is a smaller and much lighter-coloured bird than our 

 Covert Pheasants, being almost straw-coloured on the 

 flanks, and having conspicuous scarlet lobes on the 

 face, and very noticeable ear-tufts. 



The Japanese Pheasant {P. versicolor^, one of the 

 smallest of the Pheasants, is ver}'^ distinct from the 

 others, having a uniform metallic green breast and 

 under surface. This bird has been introduced into 

 Britain and has interbred with the others already 

 acclimatised. 



