AGE WILD. 133 



The PHEASANT (phasianus) is a native of the old 

 continent, and supposed by ancient authors to have 

 been originally found on the banks of the PHASIS, 

 whence the name was probably derived. The Ar- 

 gonauts, in their celebrated expedition to Colchis, 

 together with the golden fleece, brought back with 

 them the Asiatic pheasant, the plumage of which 

 was equally rich and resplendent with the fleece. 

 Authors, however, differ on this point of ancient 

 history; a discrepancy of no material consequence 

 here. This bird, indeed, may well vie with the 

 peacock, if not for gaudiness, yet for the richness, 

 variety, and sober majesty of its colours, and for the 

 beautiful symmetry of its form; and when Croesus, 

 king of Lydia, was seated on his throne, adorned 

 with royal magnificence, and all the blazing pomp 

 of Eastern splendour, it is recorded that he asked 

 Solon whether he had ever before beheld so much 

 finery. The Greek philosopher replied, he had seen 

 the beautiful plumage of the pheasant, and had found 

 nothing superior. 



The pheasant is not a long-lived bird; but it is 

 probable the PERIOD OF EXISTENCE assigned to it by 

 some writers, namely, six or seven years, is too 

 short. The wholesomeness of its flesh was prover- 

 bial among the old physicians ; it is of a high flavour 

 and alkalescent quality, and in perfection during 

 autumn. A young pheasant very fat is reckoned an 

 exquisite dainty. In a wild state, the hen LAYS 

 from eighteen to twenty eggs in a season, but sel- 

 dom more than ten in a state of confinement. 

 Pheasants are not to be tamed by domestication, 



