60 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



posed of eighteen feathers, forming two vertical planes, 

 and overlapping each other in regular gradation, the 

 two middle ones being considerably longer than the 

 rest. The legs are furnished with a conical spur ; and 

 the feet are divided into four toes, the three anterior of 

 which are united at the base by a short membranous 

 expansion. 



Of these characters it is chiefly the want of the 

 comb, the peculiar covering of the cheeks, and the 

 remarkable form of the tail that distinguish the present 

 group from the genus Gallus, comprehending the nume- 

 rous species and varieties of domesticated fowls. From 

 this hardy tribe the Pheasants differ still more in con- 

 stitution and habits than in external characters, seldom 

 breeding in captivity, unless under the most favourable 

 circumstances, and manifesting an excessive sensibility 

 to the impressions of a variable atmosphere, and the 

 influence of a northern climate. The usual attitudes of 

 the birds are moreover extremely different : the Cock 

 elevating his head to the full stretch of his neck with 

 a haughty and independent air, while the Pheasant 

 projects it forwards in an almost horizontal position, 

 scarcely raising it above the level of his body. 



Of all the species of Pheasants which are met with 

 in our preserves and in our aviaries, the Golden Phea- 

 sant is the rarest and the most beautiful. The male 

 bird, when in perfect plumage, measures nearly three 

 feet in length, of which the tail alone forms about two- 

 thirds. The feathers of the fore part of the head are 

 very long, silky, and of a bright yellow ; and consider- 

 ably overhang those of the hinder part, which are of a 

 brilliant orange, marked with transverse black rays. 

 These last are elongated and extended backwards over 

 the sides of the neck, and may be raised or depressed 

 at will. A few minute hairs are scattered over the 



