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FAMILY PHASIANID^. 



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This is one of the largest, and, regarded as a source 

 of food supply to man, the most important family of 

 birds. It contains between eighty and ninety species, 

 with the exception of our Wild Turkeys all natives of the 

 Old World, and among its members are found some of 

 the most gorgeously plumaged creatures known in the 

 class of birds. Some of these which might be men- 

 tioned are the species of Lophophorus from India and 

 Asia, resplendent with metallic hues of gold and fiery red, 

 changing to blues and greens of varying intensity; the 

 ocellated spurred fowl of the genus Polyplectrum, 

 with wings and tail covered with oblong disks like great 

 eyes, of metallic blues, purples, and greens; of the various 

 graceful and highly-colored members of the genus Pha- 

 siANUS, and many others, constituting an assemblage 

 of remarkable species difficult to rival. In North 

 America the family is only represented by the common 

 Wild Turkey and its three races, and its beautiful relative 

 the Ocellated Turkey of Central America; but although 

 few in number, yet considering what they have done for 

 man's comfort and welfare, and as the source from which 

 has been derived the domesticated race introduced into 

 many lands, our magnificent birds may be considered 

 with perfect propriety the most important members of 

 the Phasianidae throughout the World. 



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