CHAPTER VI. 



THE SILVER PHEASANT 

 (Euplocamus ny c theme r us) . 



Introduction Points Recommended for Colours of 

 Cock Colours of Hen Number of Hens to Cock 

 Pugnacity of Cocks Domesticity Feeding. 



;ROBABLY the Silver Pheasant (said to have 

 been introduced into Europe about 1600, 

 from the South of China) is better known 

 in aviaries than any other variety except the Gold. 

 It is certainly a handsome bird, hardy, a free 

 breeder, and one that soon becomes very tame. It 

 does not obtain full plumage till the second year. 



The adult male has a black crest, the face being 

 covered with brilliant red wattles (when excited, these 

 are erected), the throat and under part of the body 

 steel-black ; upper portion of body white, delicately 

 marked with black lines, the wing-coverts being well 

 margined with black; centre tail feathers white, the 

 others shaded with black ; legs red. The hen is not 

 so large as the cock, and is of a dull brown, with 

 tracings of black. 



