480 PHASIANID^; PHEASANTS, TRAGOPANS, TURKEYS. 



tastes, is now rapidly putting an end to the practice in this 

 country. The Pheasants are nearly allied to the Fowls ; but 

 they have the tail more lengthened, with narrow and pointed 

 tail-feathers ; and the neck is usually deficient in wattles. They 

 are found wild in various parts of Asia, where many very 

 splendid species exist, amongst them the Argus (Fig. 272), 

 a native of Sumatra, Malacca, and the south-east of Asia, which 



F:o. 27J. ARSUS PHEASANT. 



is so named from the numerous eye-like spots on its feathers. 

 This beautiful Bird is little inferior to a Peacock in size, and the 

 middle tail-feathers of the male often exceed four feet in length ; 

 it is remarkable for the elongation and breadth of the secondary 

 quill-feathers, which spread boldly out at their extremities, 

 and form, when the wings are opened, a sweeping, fan-like 

 plume. The Tragopans (Fig. 268) seem to connect the Phea- 

 sants with the Turkeys, being provided with large wattles, 

 which are characteristic of the latter. They are inhabitants of 

 the countries forming the northern border of India, and are 

 very splendidly coloured. The Turkeys have a short and 

 rounded tail, and the head and neck bare of feathers. The 



