THE PHEASANT. 



Phasianus colchicus. 



1RHAPS, with the solitary ex- 

 ception of the peacock, the male 

 Pheasant may safely be described 

 as the handsomest of our British 

 birds, the richness of its colours 

 and the extreme brilliancy of its 

 plumage having always attracted 

 attention and occasioned well- 

 deserved admiration. It be- 

 longs to the Rasorial, or Galli- 

 naceous birds, and is so popular 

 both for purposes of sport and 

 as an article of food, that it is 

 very strictly preserved, and bred 

 and reared with considerable 

 care and attention. Indeed, it 

 might almost be considered as 

 belonging to our domestic birds, 

 were it not for its natural 

 timidity, which seems to prevent 

 that entire confidence and ab- 

 sence of fear so common to other 

 birds of the Gallinaceous order. 

 The Pheasant has a history of very long standing. Its 

 introduction into this country took place certainly before 



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