314 Birds. 



varying to glossy green and blue ; the lower parts ot 

 the neck and breast are of a reddish chesnut, with black 

 indented edges ; the sides and lower part of the breast 

 are of the same colour, with tips of black to each feather, 

 which, in different lights, vary to glossy purple ; indeed, 

 the whole colour of this half-domesticated fowl is very 

 beautiful, uniting the brightness of deep yellow gold to 

 the finest tints of the ruby and turquoise, with reflec- 

 tions of green ; the whole being set off by several spots 

 of shining black ; but in this, as in every other kind of 

 gorgeously-feathered birds, Nature has for some wise 

 purposes, yet unknown to us, denied the female that 

 admirable beauty of plumage which belongs to the male. 

 The Pheasant lives in the woods, which he leaves at 

 dusk to perambulate corn-fields and other sequestered 

 places, where he feeds with his females, upon acorns, 

 berries, grain, and seeds of plants, but chiefly on ants' 

 eggs, of which he is particularly fond. His flesh is 

 justly accounted better meat than any of the domestic 

 or wild fowls, as it unites the delicacy of the common 

 chicken to a peculiar taste of its own. The female lays 

 eighteen or twenty eggs once a year, in the wild state ; 

 but it is in vain that we have attempted to domesticate 

 this bird entirely, as she never will remain patiently 

 confined, and if she ever breeds in confinement is very 

 careless of her brood. 



There are great varieties of Pheasants, of extraordinary 

 beauty and brilliancy of colours : many of these, such 

 as the Gold and Silver Pheasants (Phasianus pictus and 

 P. Nycihemerus), brought from the rich provinces of 

 China, are kept in aviaries in this kingdom. 



This beautiful bird is elegantly described in the fol- 

 lowing passage : 



" See ! from the brake the whirring Pheasant springs, 

 And mounts exulting on triumphant wings ; 

 Short is his joy ; he feels the fiery wound, 

 Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground : 

 Ah I what avails his glossy, varying dyes, 

 His purple crest, his scarlet-circled eyes, 

 The vivid green his shining plumes unfold, 

 His painted wings, and breast that flames with gold I" 

 POPE'S WINDSOR FOREST. 



