^6 POULTRYKIND. 



can crc(5t or deprefs at will : the creft is compofed of narrow feathers in- 

 clining backward, but their points bending forward : annong them arc 

 feveral inclofed in a kind of covering half their length. The reigning 

 colour of the plumage is black velveted, fomctimes fpeckled with white. 

 Some have a yellow fkin at the bafe of the bill, which includes the nof- 

 trils; this Ikin, extending on each fide the head, furrounds the eyes; in 

 others, it becomes a kind of knob on the bafe of the fuperior mandible. 

 Peaceable, and even ftupid, fociable, and domeftic, eafily tamed; 

 though one wanders far in the day-time, he returns at evening, and knocks 

 at the door for admiflion; pulls the fervants by their clothes, when they 

 forget him : follows his mailer every where. In his wild (late, inhabits 

 the mountains; feeds on fruits, perches on trees during night; flies 

 heavily, walks boldly; his flefh is white, good eating, but rather dry. 



THE PHEASANT 



WAS brought into Europe from the banks ofthePhafis, a river 

 of Colchis, in Afia Minor ; from whence their name ; and 

 are faid to be firft brought by the Argonauts in their famous expedition. 

 Thefe are ftill the fineft known. 



Next to the peacock, are the moft beautiful of birds, as well for the 

 Yivid colour of their plumes, as for their happy mixtures and variety. 



The iris is yellow, the eyes furrounded with fcarlet, fprinkled with 

 fmall fpecks of black. On the fore part of the head are blackifh feathers 

 mixed with fhining purple. The top of the head and the upper part of 

 the neck are tinged with a fliining darkifh green. In Ibmc, the top of 

 the head is of a Ihining blue; the head, and upper part of the neck, ap- 

 pear either blue or green, as differently beheld by the fpe6lator. The 

 brcaft, flioulders, middle of the back, and the fides under the wings, have 

 a blackifh ground, with refledtions, black or purple, according to dif- 

 ferent lights, under which is a tranfverfe ftreak of gold colour. The 

 tail, from the middle feathers to the root, is about eighteen inches ; the 

 legs, feet and toes, are 'dulky. On the legs are black fpurs, fhorter 

 than thofe of a cock. A membrane larger than ufual among the 

 poultry kind connefts the toes, as if advancing to the water-bird clalTes. 

 The male is moft beautiful. Its fleih is confidercd as the grcdtcft dainty. 



The 



