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CHAPTER XXII. 



THE RING-NECKED PHEASANT. 



THE Phasianus Torquatus, or Ring-necked Pheasant, of 

 which the artist has given such a life-like portrait from nature, 

 is but a variety of the common Pheasant. It is, perhaps, a 

 trifle larger than the Brown Pheasant, with which it is asso- 

 ciated in almost every preserve in England. The Cock should 

 weigh about three pounds. 



This genus may generally be characterized by a strong bill, 

 the upper part of which is convex, and naked at the base j the 

 nostrils are lateral and covered with a cartilaginous scale. 

 " The head is clothed with feathers, but the region of the eyes,\ 

 for a considerable space, is covered with a naked verucose skin, 

 generally of a bright vermilion. The wings are short, but 

 firm and compact. The tail is remarkably long, and generally 

 wedge-shaped. The feet have the anterior toes united by a 

 membrane to the first joint. The hind-toe is articulated upon 

 the tarsus, which, in the male, is furnished with a strong 

 conical, sharp spur. The plumage of the male is generally of 

 the most brilliant tints." In the natural state, they live on 

 fruits and roots, and the larger seeds ; they are very active 

 on the ground, and though their short wings prevent them 

 from taking a long and sustained flight, their power is suffi- 

 cient to carry them away from ordinary dangers. 



It is now generally admitted that the Pheasant was originally 



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