22 CLASS AVES. 



The most common is 



Ph. Colchicus, L. Enl. 121 and 2. 



This was said to have been brought from the 

 banks of the Phasis by the Argonauts. It subsists 

 now in all the temperate parts of Europe ; where, 

 nevertheless, it requires a great deal of care. 



The male has the head and neck deep green, with 

 two small tufts on the occiput, and the rest of the 

 plumage golden yellow, mixed with green. The 

 female is brownish, speckled and varied with deeper 

 brown.* 



China has furnished us, in modern times, with 

 three other races or species, which, with the pea- 

 cocks, form the ornaments of our aviaries. These 

 are 



The Ring Pheasant, Ph. Torquatus, which differs 

 from the common species only in having a brilliant 

 white spot on each side the neck. 



* When domesticated, they sometimes become white, as Star. DegU 

 Ucc. t. 259; or, more or less varied with white, Brisson, t. 25, f. 5, Hayes, 

 Birds, t. 21. They are said to breed with the other gallinaceous birds, and 

 produce the Turkey Pheasant, Lath. Ph. GaUopavonis, Gmel. see Edw. 

 Birds, t. 337, with the Turkey or the common fowl, from the Coquard or 

 Hybridal Pheasant, L&th. Buffon, Birds, ij. t. 12, Cop. t. Ency. Meth. 

 Hayes, Birds, t. 21. With the Painted Pheasant, as described by Tern- 

 minck, p. 319. 



