COMMON PHEASANT. 113 



have bred together, and we have specimens with the 

 mark modified or almost obliterated. By Temminck 

 they are considered to have been originally distinct 

 species, and several prominent differences are pointed 

 out, which, in all our naturalised birds, are blended 

 together. We have not been able to compare a 

 sufficient number of wild specimens ; but, in one 

 from continental India, without the white mark on 

 the neck, there are sufficient distinctions of plumage 

 in addition, to warrant its separation. In our pre- 

 serves, which, in most instances, are only a kind of 

 semi-domestication, they are much inclined to be- 

 come spotted or pied with white, and often show 

 very beautifully contrasted markings. The female 

 seems to assume an entirely pure white plumage 

 more frequently than the male ; in some localities, a 

 silvery grey variety has become abundant, known 

 under the name of Bohemian Pheasants ; it is sin- 

 gular also, that in a number of eggs, received some 

 years since from an extensive preserve, where the 

 variety was prevalent, we could separate those which 

 would produce the grey birds, the shells being dif- 

 ferent in their shade of colouring. There is also a 

 tendency of the pheasant to breed with other gal- 

 linaceous birds ; crosses with the domestic fowl are 

 frequent, and some instances are given where there 

 had been intercourse with the black grouse, and even 

 with a turkey. 



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