FAMILY PHASIANID. 
THIs is one of the largest, and, regarded as a source 
of food supply to man, the most important family of 
birds. It contains between eighty and ninety species, 
with the exception of our Wild Turkeys all natives of the 
Old World, and among its members are found some of 
the most gorgeously plumaged creatures known in the 
class of birds. Some of these which might be men- 
tioned are the species of LopHopHorus from India and 
Asia, resplendent with metallic hues of gold and fiery red, 
changing to blues and greens of varying intensity; the 
ocellated spurred fowl of the genus PoLyPLECTRUM, ~ 
with wings and tail covered with oblong disks like great 
eyes,of metallic blues, purples,and greens; of the various 
graceful and highly-colored members of the genus PHa- 
SIANUS, and many others, constituting an assemblage 
of remarkable species difficult to rival. In North 
America the family is only represented by the common 
Wild Turkey and its three races, and its beautiful relative 
the Ocellated Turkey of Central America; but although 
few in number, yet considering what they have done for 
man’s comfort and welfare, and as the source from which 
has been derived the domesticated race introduced into 
many lands, our magnificent birds may be considered 
with perfect propriety the most important members of 
the Phasianide throughout the World. 
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