THE PHEASANT-MALAY FOWL. 173 



of the absurdity of the popular notions about the " Pheasant 

 Fowls" to Mr. James Hunt, the experienced servant of the 

 London Zoological Society, he replied, " You are quite right, 

 sir ; those who think differently have only to look at that," 

 pointing to a miserable, really half-bred Pheasant, that was 

 then walking before us. 



Nor does the experience of Mr. Hunt differ much from that 

 recorded by his superiors. " Birds produced between the 

 Pheasant and Common Fowl are of frequent occurrence. The 

 Zoological Society have possessed several, which were for a 

 time kept together, but showed no signs of breeding ; they are 

 considered, like other hybrids, to be unproductive among them- 

 selves, all being half-bred ; but when paired with the true 

 Pheasant or the Fowl, the case is different. The Zoological 

 Society has had exhibited at the evening meetings two in- 

 stances of success in this sort of second cross. The first was 

 in 1731 } the second instance in 1836." Yarrell, vol. ii., p. 

 317. Two cases only, and those in the second cross, ascertained 

 during all the time that the Society has had extraordinary means 

 at command, are exceptions so rare as to confirm the rule that 

 such mules are barren, and incapable of founding a family, and 

 becoming the ancestors of a distinct race. And yet an evi- 

 dently sincere writer declares, " From what I have seen of 

 the plumage of birds casually produced at the wood-side, (from 

 crossing with Pheasants,) I believe a judicious and scientific 

 selection would lead to the production of very fine varieties ; 

 and that, among others, the dark Pheasant-plumaged breed, both 

 of Bantams, and common poultry, would reward the patient 

 inquirer." Agricultural Gazette, June 10, 1848. Patience 

 may sometimes be its own reward \ but it is a sad thing to get 

 into a wood, if the German romancers are to be listened to. 



Those who still believe in the permanent combination of 

 the Pheasant with the Fowl, rest their faith entirely on the 

 "pure half-bred" birds which they procure from the wood- 



15* 



