BRITISH BIRDS. 341 



The Ring Pheasant is a fine variety of this spe- 

 cies; its principal difference consists in a white 

 ring, which /encircles the lower part of the neck; 

 the colours of the plumage in general are likewise 

 more distinct and vivid. A fine specimen of this 

 bird was sent us by the Rev. William Turner, of 

 Newcastle, from which the figure was engraven. 

 They are sometimes met with in the neighbour- 

 hood of Alnwick, whither they were brought by his 

 Grace the late Duke of Northumberland. That 

 they intermix with the common breed is very ob- 

 vious, as in some we have seen, the ring was hardly 

 visible, and in others a few feathers only, marked 

 with white, appeared on each side of the neck, 

 forming a white spot. It is much to be regretted 

 that this beautiful breed is likely soon to be de- 

 stroyed, by those who pursue every species of game 

 with an avaricious and indiscriminating rapacity. 



There are many varieties of Pheasants, of extra- 

 ordinary beauty and brilliancy of colours : in many 

 gentlemen's woods there is a kind as white as 

 snow, which will intermix with the common ones. 

 Many of the gold and silver kinds, brought from 

 China, are also kept in aviaries in this kingdom; 



is, that this animal does not breed, and that its spurs do not grow." 

 He further notices, that in two of these birds which he dissected, he 

 found them perfectly feminine, having " both the ovaria and the ovi- 

 duct.'' A Pheasant exhibiting the same kind of plumage as those 

 mentioned by Mr. Hunter, was shot in January, 1805, by Sir Thomas 

 Frankland, Bart., and presented to this work. This bird was of the 

 size of the common Hen Pheasant, its tail nearly the same; it was 

 without spurs, and had no scarlet around the eyes, and in rising its 

 cry was that of the hen; in other respects its plumage was nearly 

 like that of the male, only not so brilliant in colour. 



