68 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol. XV. 



that P. torquatiis was met with in France at that date. In 

 any case a close inspection of the tapestry, which is known 

 to have been repaired, gives the impression that the white 

 on the neck of the Pheasant may have been part_ of this 

 repair and therefore a comparatively modern addition, but 

 of what actual date it is impossible to say since the tapestry 

 has been hned. I must here thank the authorities at the 

 Victoria and Albert Museum for their kindly assistance and 



tk^ 



A SIXTEENTH CENTURY PORTRAIT OF THE PHEASANT. 



for their permission to reproduce a photograph of that 

 portion of the tapestry which shows the Pheasant in question. 

 Amongst the tapestries in the permanent collection in 

 the Victoria and Albert Museum is one of Flemish weaving 

 of the early sixteenth century (No. 56668-1859 " Bergeries " 

 in East Central Court) in the foreground to right of which 

 is a cock Pheasant with a good deal of white on its neck and 

 head. The white markings here, however, would appear 

 to have been used only for the purpose of making these 



