344 TETRAONHLE. 



Selborne, of which a coloured representation is given in 

 some of the editions of his work. The subject being then 

 new, the real character of that specimen was a matter of 

 doubt, till more recent experience, and other examples, 

 seemed to confirm its origin. In June 1834, the late Mr. 

 Sabine called the attention of the members present at a 

 meeting of the Zoological Society to a specimen of a hybrid 

 bird, between the common Pheasant and the Grey Hen, 

 which was exhibited. Its legs were partially feathered ; it 

 bore on the shoulder a white spot, and its middle tail- 

 feathers were lengthened. It was bred in Cornwall. 

 ZooL Proc. 1834, page 52. This bird belonged to Sir 

 William Call. 



In 1835, T. C. Eyton, Esq., residing near Wellington, 

 Shropshire, sent up for exhibition to the Zoological Society, 

 a hybrid bird between the cock Pheasant and the Grey 

 Hen, with a note, as follows: " For some years past 

 a single Grey Hen has been seen in the neighbourhood of 

 the Merrington covers, belonging to Robert A. Slaney, Esq., 

 but she was never observed to be accompanied by a Black 

 Cock, or any other of her species. In November last a 

 bird was shot on the manor adjoining Merrington, belong- 

 ing to J. A. Lloyd, Esq., resembling the Black game in 

 some particulars, and the Pheasant in others. In Decem- 

 ber another bird was shot in the Merrington covers, re- 

 sembling the former, but smaller ; this, which is a female, 

 is now in my collection, beautifully preserved by Mr. Shaw 

 of Shrewsbury." ZooL Proc. 1835, page 62. 



The figure given on the opposite page represents this 

 bird, Mr. Eyton having with great kindness allowed me 

 the use of his specimen for that purpose. Mr. Eyton 

 observes, in his work on the Rarer British Birds, that 

 the brood to which his hybrid bird belonged, consisted 



