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merely the domesticated varieties of Anas boschas are intended 

 to be included ; or are the various species in England, and the 

 foreigners also, to be included ? If the Pintail, Gadwall, and 

 Shoveller are included, why not include the curious Shoveller 

 from New Zealand and elsewhere, and the Bahama Pintail ? and 

 from that again our Long-tailed Duck also ? and, if so, where 

 are you to stop ? I should like to know if a bird exactly resem- 

 bling the present form of the old Colchicus (Pheasant), which 

 probably nourished in England before Torquatus was turned out, 

 is to be found in a natural and wild state in any part of the 

 world at the present time, so as to ascertain whether time and 

 circumstances may not have moulded it into the form best adapted 

 in its now naturalised state in the various countries in which it 

 is now found, and which might account for the various colours 

 of the varieties of this Pheasant found at the present time in China, 

 Japan, and elsewhere, and which have probably all sprung from 

 the same original stock, and through domestication. I believe the 

 ring on the neck occurs in many Pheasants which have nothing 

 whatever to do with Torquatus recently turned out. The pecu- 

 liarities respecting the breeding of pied and white Pheasants do 

 not show that these varieties are any thing more than varieties 

 originated by domestication ; and although they may be by some 

 persons considered pretty, their white feet and piebald appear- 

 ance remind one that they are not wild birds, and too much as- 

 similate them to the inhabitants of the poultry yard. I should 

 like also to know if there are at the present time in a naturally 

 wild state, in any country, either the Muscovy Duck, from which 

 our domesticated birds are descended, or what is called Cygnus 

 ameroides. I think I am right when I say I remember a pair of 

 Wild Swans, in the year 1840 or 1841, hatching and rearing a 

 brood in the Zoological Gardens. On going there some time after- 

 wards, I missed the greater part of this most beautiful family. 

 On inquiry I was informed, whether correctly or not I know not, 

 that it was wished to get a breed between the tame Swan and 

 the wild one, and that all, excepting one parent, had been sold ; 

 and I can recollect my feeling of disappointment, and my wonder 



