76 Aviary Pheasants, 



too, under heavy losses, in his endeavours to import 

 rare pheasants, should win the gratitude of all fanciers. 

 His efforts were at last crowned with success, but not, 

 I fear, with the pecuniary reward he so richly deserves. 

 He says: " In 1864 I left India with 20 Impeyans 

 and Tragopans; 7 only survived. 1867 and '68, 300, 

 by the old overland route ; all died. Ditto, 285, 

 with same results. 1869, 100, by Suez Canal; 40 

 survived. From that time to the present I have 

 annually brought over successfully a number of phea- 

 sants, including Argus, Tragopans, various Euplocami, 

 Pucras, Impeyans, &c. In 1879 I first introduced 

 Gallophasis Elliott, and sold the pair for 3OOof., and 

 for five years pursued with ardour their introduction, 

 at a cost of io,ooof. The difficulties were almost 

 insurmountable, but were at last overcome, and there 

 are now a few pairs in England. The importation of 

 these rare birds is not so profitable as it appears, for 

 I have lost, during the nineteen years I have been 

 engaged in these transactions, no less than ^3000, or 

 75,ooof." 



