CHAPTEE XXI. 



PHEASANTS ADAPTED TO THE AVIARY 

 (CONTINUED). 



I 



THE EARED PHEASANT {CR0S80PTIL0N 

 MANTCRURIGUM). 



F the remarkable group of birds known as the Eared 

 Pheasants, constituting the genus Crossoptilon, five 

 species are known, though only two, the Mant- 

 churian [C. mantchiiricum) and the white Tibet 

 species (C tibetanum) have been received in Europe 

 in a living state. 

 The Eared Pheasants differ in many very essential particu- 

 lars from the more common species. Both sexes are alike in 

 plumage, and are only to be distinguished by the presence of 

 spurs on the legs of the males. The large size and peculiar 

 character of the tail coverts separate them from any allied 

 group. The first specimens seen alive were presented to the 

 Zoological Society by Mr. Dudley E. Saurin, in 1866 ; since 

 that time others have been imported, and a considerable 

 number have been bred in this country and on the continent. 

 The Mantchurian Eared Pheasant is more remarkable for 

 the singular arrangement of its plumage than for brilliancy 

 of colouring, in this latter respect not approaching the 

 gorgeous hues of the true pheasants, or many of the closely- 

 allied birds. The general colour of the body is a sombre 

 brown ; the true tail feathers are white, with dark tips ; but 

 the bird derives its remarkable appearance from its large size 

 and the peculiar character of the tail coverts, which spring 



