81 



PHEASANTS (PHASIANUS). 



Argus Pheasant, or Ltien (Phasianus Argus). 



This superb and majestic bird was first described 

 by Edwards, in the 55th volume of the Philosophi- 

 cal Transactions, who says, " It is the largest of 

 *' the pheasant genus yet known, being in size equal 

 " to a full-grown turkey/* The wings and tail are 

 besprinkled with a multitude of round spots like eyes ; 

 whence it has received the name of Argus. The fea- 

 thers in the middle of the tail are very long, and 

 project much beyond the rest. (A much loager, and 

 equally beautiful feather, of an unknown species of 

 Chinese Pheasant, five feet long, is in the same 

 Case.) Its head is covered with a double crest. It 

 has been doubted whether this bird had not originally 

 more than two long tail-feathers; this, however, on 

 examination of the rump, seems never to have been 

 the case. Mr. Pennant describes it as having spurs 

 like the common cock, but this also appears to be 

 an error; for this bird, although a male, and of full 

 growth, has not the slightest appearance of them. — 

 This extraordinary bird, Vkith its wings extended, 

 measures eighteen feet in circumference. It is a na- 

 tive of the North of China. 



Golden Ph&asant of China (Phasianus Pictus). 



Of the brilliancy with which nature so often deco- 

 rates the feathered tribe, the Golden Pheasant is one 

 of the most striking examples; a bird of which the 

 colours are so powerfully lucid, as to dazzle in a full 

 light the eyes of tlie spectator, and can only be ex- 

 ceeded by the poli&lied lustre of the Humming-bird: 



M 



