372 ZOOLOGY. 



cocks, is the Argus pheasant, Ai^gus giganteus [pi. 96, Jig. 8). It is a 

 native of Sumatra, and is supposed also to inhabit continental Asia as far 

 north as China. In size the Argus is not much superior to the common 

 fowl, but the great length of the wing and tail feathers makes it appear 

 much larger. It is almost impossible to convey by description only any 

 idea of the blending of colors in this magnificent bird. The throat and 

 cheeks are naked. The lower part of the body is reddish-brown, every 

 feather regularly spotted with yellow and black ; the upper parts are 

 covered with large black spots separated by lines of ochre-yellow ; the 

 upper tail coverts are clear yellow and the tail deep chestnut. The wing 

 feathers are spotted with green and shades of brown in the most beautiful 

 manner. The Arsius has not been domesticated. 



The diamond pheasant {Polyplectron chinguis) and several other birds 

 of splendid plumage are arranged here, nearly all of which are natives of 

 India. 



Sub-fam. 2. Phasianince, or Pheasants. Bill moderate, strong, straight, 

 and slightly arched at the tip ; wings short, rounded ; tail greatly length- 

 ened ; tarsi and feet very strong. Size vaiuous ; colors generally very 

 beautiful. 



Another group of splendid birds exclusively belonging to the old world. 

 The pheasant of Europe, Phasianus colchicus (pi. 96, fig. 6), now 

 distributed over the entire continent, is well ascertained to have been 

 introduced from Asia by the ancient Greeks. Its plumage is of the most 

 beautiful glossy chestnut color, with black crescent-shaped marks. Its 

 favorite haunts are thick or tangled woods near streams, where it passes 

 the night, but betaking itself to the open fields during the day in search of 

 food. It walks and runs much in the same manner as the common fowl, 

 which it greatly resembles in its manners. 



The most beautiful of pheasants and one of the most splendid of birds is 

 the golden pheasant, P. pictus (pi. 90, Jig. 7), which is a native of China. 

 Its plumage is almost entirely of golden yellow, barred with red and black. 

 It is called in China " kinki," or golden-flower fowl, and is kept extensively 

 in domestication. 



The silver pheasant {P. nycthemerus) is another fine species. Its entire 

 plumage is beautiful silvery white with black lines, and the head adorned 

 with a long crest of glossy purple feathers. 



The fire-backed pheasant (Eitplocomus ignitus) and several other species 

 of the same genus belong here, as do also the curious and very handsome 

 horned pheasants, of which the most common species is the golden- 

 breasted, Tragopan hastingsii {pi. 96, Jig. 9). They have fine red and 

 white plumage, and are peculiar for possessing fleshy protuberances about 

 the head i-esembling horns. They are also Asiatic birds, but are little 

 known. 



Sub-fam. 3. GallincB, or Fowls. Bill moderate, curved towards the tip : 

 wings moderate, rounded; tail lengthened, frequently compressed and 

 arched ; tarsi and feet robust and rather long. Size smaller than pre- 

 ceding ; colors gay. 

 5V6 



