450 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



Common and the Ring-necked species, the latter strain showing itself not 

 only in the more or less perfect ring of white round the neck, but also in 

 the greater or less predominance of green instead of red on the rump. 

 The great fertility of these crosses apparently proves that the Common 

 Pheasant and the Ring-necked Pheasant, and probably several others of 

 the nearly allied Pheasants, are only subspecifically distinct. 



In a polygamous bird like the Pheasant, pairing takes place every spring, 

 in April and May. When the pairing-season is over and the female begins 

 to sit, the male begins his moult, which lasts during June and July. The 

 moult of the female is delayed until incubation is finished, and takes place 

 in July and August. The magnificent plumage of the male bird is generally 

 attributed to sexual selection ; but if it be true that pairing takes place just 

 before the annual moult, when the plumage of the male is rendered com- 

 paratively shabby by the abrasion of ten months' wear, the theory can 

 scarcely be maintained. Possibly the plumage of the cock may become 

 more brilliant in early spring by an accession of colour at that season 

 without a change of feather. 



NEST OF PHEASANT. 



