EGGS OF PHEASANTS. 913 



P. versicolor. A photograph (text-fig. 126) by Mrs. Peter Haig 

 Thomas of the four eggs shows very accurately the comparative 

 sizes. 



The measurements of these eggs are as follows : — 



Girth of length. Girth of breadth. 



P. formosanus ^^-^ ins. 4|^ ins. 



P. versicolor 4i| „ 4-j^ „ 



F.l,Fo.xYe 4it„ 4,^ „ 



F.2, Fo.xYe.xYe. . 4i| „ ^^ „ 



showing a slight increase in bulk in the eggs of F. T and F. 2 

 over that of the versicolor. 



Another character of which notice was omitted in February 

 was the iris colour : unfortunately F. 1 $ died eggbound last May 

 before it occurred to me to make an examination. The male 

 and female versicolor differ in the colour of the iris, as do also 

 the male and iexaaXQ formosanus. The male versicolor has a pale 

 yellow iris, the female a soft brown centre with an outer ring of 

 pale yellow : the male formosanus has a red-brown iris, the female 

 a dark brown centre with outer ring of red-brown. Holding 

 formosanus, versicolor, and F. 1 hens close together, it is seen that 

 F. 1 has the female versicolor iris with the ring-colour a very 

 slightly deeper shade of yellow. Again, outstretching the wings of 

 these three hens side by side, it is observed that besides the secon- 

 daries and primaries the two groups of major coverts overlying 

 these feathers in F. 1 $ also correspond exactly in pattern and 

 colour with the same groups in the versicolor 2 •" 



At the conclusion of the Scientific Business, Sir Edmund G. 

 LoDER, Bt., V.P.Z.S., showed a large number of slides, including 

 a fine series of coloured subjects, and a number of living speci- 

 mens, to demonstrate the capacity of the new electric lantern 

 which he had recently presented to the Society. 



