236 VERTEBRATES : BIRDS. 



and the tail of the male excessively elongated. The 

 Common Peacock, P. cristatus, Linn., was introduced 

 into Europe by Alexander the Great. 



The Genus Numida, comprising the Guinea Fowls of 

 tropical Africa, has the frontal bone much developed, 

 producing a vertical crest, the lower jaw with two fleshy 

 lobes, no spur on the tarsi, and the tail very short. 



The Common Guinea Fowl, N. meleagris, Linn., of the 

 farm-yard, is known by every one. In the wild state, it 

 lives in flocks, and prefers the vicinity of marshes. 



The Genus Gallus comprises our domestic varieties of 

 the Cock kind, and the Jungle Fowl of India. 



The domestic Cock, G. domesticus, Linn., is too well 

 known to need description. This bird has been in the 

 possession of man from the earliest times, and the varie- 

 ties are now almost endless. They have all sprung from 

 the Jungle Fowls of India, of which there are many spe- 

 cies, all of which bear great resemblance to our domestic 

 varieties. 



The Genus Phasianus, or Pheasants, has the tail ex- 

 cessively long, the feathers of which overlap like tiles. 

 There are several species, all natives of Asia. 



The Common Pheasant, P. colchicus, Linn., of Europe, 

 is thirty-four inches long, the head and neck of metallic 

 lustre, and the rest of the plumage golden fawn-color 

 with markings of green. The female is smaller, and 

 brownish. This bird, now found throughout temperate 

 Europe, is said to have been brought from the banks of 

 the Phasis, a river of Colchis. 



The Golden Pheasant, P. pictus, Linn., of China, so re- 

 markable for its magnificent plumage, has a golden-colored 

 crest, the neck orange speckled with black, the back green, 

 the rump yellow, the lower parts and wings red, the latter 

 with a blue spot, and the long tail brown spotted with gray. 



The Argus Pheasant, P. argus, Linn., of India, sur- 



