2 7 8 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



PHEASANT ON NEST. 



PHEASANT. 



(Fkastanits colchicus.) 

 Order GALLING ; Family PHASIANID^E (PHEASANTS). 



Description of Parent 

 Birds. Length about 

 three feet, nearly two 

 of which are accounted 

 for by the abnormally 

 long tail. Beak short, 

 curved downwards, and 

 light yellowish horn col- 

 our, duller at the base. 

 Irides hazel. Round the 

 eye the skin is bare, 

 crimson, and minutely 

 speckled with black. The feathers of the head and 

 neck all round are steel-blue, with a purple-green or 

 brown sheen, according to the light upon them. Upper 

 part of back deep orange, tipped with rich black ; 

 lower back and scapulars made up of a mixture of 

 dark orange and dull brown, each feather having a 

 straw-coloured outer margin. Wing-coverts red, of 

 different shades. Quills greyish and yellowish-brown. 

 Rump and upper tail-coverts pale yellowish-brown. 

 Tail-quills brown, tinged with yellow, and trans- 

 versely barred with black. Breast and belly golden 

 red, each feather edged with rich black, glossed with 

 purple and gold ; vent and under tail-coverts dusky- 

 brown. Legs, toes, claws, and spurs brownish- 

 grey. 



The female is about a foot shorter, and much 

 subdued in coloration. Her plumage is composed 

 principally of yellowish and dark brown. 



