THE POULTRY KIND. 1-53 



of the bird itself, know what credit ought to be 

 given to such an account. 



Of the pheasant, as of all other domestic fowl, 

 there are many varieties. There are white phea- 

 sants, crested pheasants, spotted pheasants ; but 

 of all others, the golden pheasant of China is the 

 most beautiful. It is a doubt whether the pea- 

 cock itself can bear the comparison. However, 

 the natives of China would not have us consider 

 it as their most beautiful bird, though covered 

 all over with eyes, resembling in miniature those 

 of the peacock. By their accounts it is far exceed- 

 ed by the Fongwhang, an imaginary bird of which 

 they give a most fantastic description. It is thus 

 that the people of every country, though possess- 

 ed of the greatest advantages, have still others 

 that they would persuade strangers they enjoy, 

 which have existence only in the imagination. 



CHAPTER VI. 



[THE TRUMPETER. 



THIS curious bird is found in various parts of 

 South America, but in greatest plenty in the 

 Amazons country. It is about the size of a large 

 fowl, and lays eggs of a blue-green colour. The 

 plumage is black, excepting the head and breast, 

 which are of a smooth shining green. The bill 

 is moderately long ; the upper mandible is con- 



