244 Colour and Pattt'rn-Tniii><frreace in Pheasants 



An account of tho indepondont inheritance of the moult habit in 

 hybrids seems inseparable fnjni the discussion of plumage, and some 

 observations on the correlation of phunage and call note it is hoped may 

 be thought of interest. 



Introduction. 



Throughout the course of all these pheasant-hybridising experiments 

 pattern-transference has been a notable feature, and though in the 

 earlier crosses some instances escaped observation, yet the preservation 

 of all the skins of every cross, ringed, numbered, lettered and labelled 

 in cabinets has rendered their detection a simple matter. In all previous 

 papers' mention has been made of these phenomena, but in -each case 

 space forbad a complete description of the numerous instances observed ; 

 now so many facts have been collected that the time has come to 

 assemble and present certain of them together. The following order 

 will be maintained as closely as possible in their grouping and 

 arrangement. 



1st. Transmission of pattern, colour, structure and form of the 

 female of his species by the male parent to his female offspring. 



2nd. Transmission of pattern, colour, structure and form of the 

 male of her species by the feniali^ parent to her male offspring. 



3rd. Pattern and colour-transference transmitted by the male parent 

 to the female offspring. 



4th. Pattern and colour-transference transmitted by the female 

 parent to the male offspring. 



These will be traced first in the sterile hybrids, secondly in the 

 fertile hybrids. 



Fertile Hybrid.s. 



However absorbing may be the study of sterile hybrids to the 

 breeder, that of the fertile hybrids is still more attractive, for the 

 problem of the stability of each new pattern as it arises is of unending 

 interest. In experiment expectation is often followed by realisation 

 which stinndates endeavour and fires the imagination with an ardent 

 and unfailing enthusiasm. 



' " On sume Skius of Hybrid Pheasants," Rose Hai^ Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. April, 

 I'.UO; "On Experimental Pheasant Breetling," Hose Haig Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. 

 March, 1911; "Experimental Pheasant Breeding," Rose Haig Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. 

 Sept. iai'2; "On Sterile and Hybrid Pheasants," Geoffrey Smith and Rose Haig Thomas, 

 Journal of Genetics, June, 1913. 



