221 



PHASIANUS. PHEASANT. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum breve, crassiuscu- 

 lum, basi nudum, versus 

 apicem deflexum. 



Nares basales, laterales. 



Aures tectae. 



Pedes tetradactyli, ambula- 

 torii, digitis tribus anticis, 

 uno postico: tarsi calca- 

 rati. 



Caudaelongata,cuneata; rec- 

 tricibus octodecim. 



Al& breves. 



Beak short, thickened, its 

 base naked, towards the 

 tip bent down. 



Nostrils basal and lateral. 



Ears covered. 



Feet four-toed, formed for 

 walking, three toes before, 

 and one behind : tarsi with 

 spurs. 



Tail elongated, wedge- 

 shaped, consisting of eigh- 

 teen feathers. 

 Wings short. 



X H ASIANUS, auctorum. This genus embraces 

 some of the most beautiful birds in existence, 

 which, as far as known, possess the same manners 

 of life : they are all natives of Asia, frequenting 

 woody places : the females produce many young- 

 ones at a brood, which they foster for some time 

 like the domestic hen : their nests, which are 

 rude, are formed on the ground : their food con- 

 sists of seeds and insects : the young when first 

 hatched are clothed with a soft down. 



