14 LLOYDS NATURAL HisToRY. 
Female Pheasants that have become barren either from age 
or through disease of the ovary, gevera//y assume the plumage 
of the cock to a greater or less extent, and we have known a 
number of instances in which the male plumage had been so 
perfectly donned that it was only by the smaller size, blunt 
spurs, and much shorter tail, that the true sex of the individual 
could be ascertained. Last year I examined a hen Pheasant 
in perfectly normal plumage, but with a well-developed sharp 
spur on each leg ; this bird, on dissection, was found to have 
been shot in the left ovary, a No. 2 or 3 shot (!) being there 
embedded, which had destroyed the organ, and given rise to 
an ugly tumourous growth. The wound was evidently an old- 
standing one, but in this instance the plumage had remained 
normal. 
The Common Pheasant not only crosses with other species 
of its own kind, but hybrids are occasionally produced be- 
tween it and the Black Game, Domestic Fowl, and Guinea 
Fowl, while instances are on record of hybrids between 
Pheasant and Capercaillie. 
Albinos and piebald birds are by no means an uncommon 
occurrence among our semi-domesticated birds, but no doubt 
much rarer among really wild individuals. 
Nest.—A mere hollow in the ground, roughly lined with dead 
leaves, and carefully hidden from view by dead fern, brambles, 
or coarse grass or other herbage. 
Eggs.— Vary in number from eight to twelve, but a score or 
more are sometimes found in one nest, probably the produce of 
more than one female ; they are broad ovals, slightly pointed at 
the smaller end, generally brown or olive-brown in colour, 
more rarely bluish-green, uniform in tint, and with rather a 
smooth polished shell. Average measurements, 1°8 by 1°4 
inch. 
SUB-SP. @. THE TALISCH PHEASANT. PHASIANUS TALISCHENSIS, 
Phasianus persicus talischensis, Lorenz, J. f. QO. 1888, p. 571. 
