172 amafals in menageries. 



The Ring-necked Pheasant. 



Phasianus torquatus, Tenim. {Fig. 24.) 



M. Temminck, who has paid much attention to the 

 rasorial birds, was the first to point out the distinctions 

 between the genuine ring-necked pheasant of China, 

 and those hybrid races, wliich, from having originated 

 from crosses with tlie common species, had induced 

 ornithologists to beheve that the species itself was a 

 mere variety. It should, and we believe it will, be one 

 of the primary objects of the Ornithological Society 

 to preserve all those real species of rasorial birds which 

 may come into their possession, pure and distinct ; so 

 that, whatever hybrid races may arise from crossing the 

 different breeds, examples of the true species may be 

 always seen and consulted. 



This elegant bird is stated to be very common in the 

 northern provinces of the Chinese empire, where it is 

 found in the same districts and places as the common 

 European species; with which, however, in a state of 

 nature, it does not associate. Independently of its pecu- 

 liarities of plumage, the eggs of the ringed pheasant are 

 bluish green, variegated with small spots of a deeper 

 tint ; whereas those of the common species are of a very 

 pale olive, without spots. 



M. Temminck, upon whose authority these two 

 pheasants were first separated, observes, that the present 

 species is always less, the expanse of its wings smaller 



