CHAPTER XVII. 



THE CHINESE PHEASANT 



(Phasianus torquatus]. 



The Common Pheasant of China Origin of Specific 

 Name* Abundant Layers Wandering Habits 

 Colours of a Pure Specimen Colours of Hen. 



bird appears to be the common pheasant 

 China, and is met with all over that 

 * ^t //4 country ; thousands are said to be exposed 

 for sale in the markets. It obtains its specific name 

 from the white ring on the neck. I believe it was one 

 of the first varieties brought to England after P. col- 

 chicus, and it has now spread all over the .country; 

 in very few, if any, districts are birds found free 

 from the ring on the neck. They are smaller than the 

 old sort, and persons who have eaten the pure bred 

 say they are not equal to them in flavour. They 

 are much preferred by those who trade in eggs, as 

 being more abundant layers, and easier to rear ; but 

 game- preservers give them a bad character, as they 

 wander so much. This is a most undesirable habit. 

 One does not like to breed and protect pheasants 



