242 CASSKI.L'S book 01-' UIKUS. 



The PHEASANTS PROPER {F/iasuuii) are recognisable by their long tail, the feathers of 

 which are placed vertically, those in die centre being six or eight times as long as those at the sides, 

 while those of the upper tail-covers have ragged or rounded tips. Their head is without a crest, but 

 has a small upright tuft of feathers close to each ear. The plumage of the male is always beautiful, 

 often most brilliant ; but that of the female is comparatively sombre, with dark markings. The native 

 countries of thfese birds ate the mountainous parts of Asia, extending even to Japan ; some species, 

 however, have become naturalised in the temperate part of Europe. During the day they are found 

 lying concealed in jungles, covers, and long grass, living in divided societies, of diflerent sex. 

 Towards the spring they separate into families, consisting of a male and several females ; the party 

 generally taking possession of a certain locality, from which the commander is very particular in driving 

 away all male intruders. 'When suddenly disturbed, they endeavour to escape by using their legs 

 rather than their wings. Their flight is rapid and noisy when first started, but is sustained only for a 

 short distance. Various kinds of grain and insects form their principal food ; these are usually sought 

 for at sunset. They also consume biJlbous roots, which are obtained by means of their bill and feet. 

 Their eggs are deposited on long grass, without any kind of nest, and are about ten in number. 



THE COMMON PHEASANT. 



The Common Pheasant {P/iasiannS Colchicus) is so variegated as to render an accurate 

 description of its plumage extremely difficult. The head, as well as part of the neck, is green, with a 

 resplendent blue gloss ; the lower part of the neck, breast, belly, and sides are reddish brown, 

 glistening with purple, each feather on these parts being edgfed with glossy black. The feathers on 

 the mantle have white crescent-shaped spots below the border. The flowing, ragged feathers on the 

 rump are darlv cdppdr-red, shdded with purple ; the quills striped brown and reddish yellow ; and the 

 tail-feathers olive-grey, striped with black, and bordered with reddish brown. The eye is reddish 

 yellow, the bare regions round the eye red, the beak light brownish yellow, and the foot reddish grey 

 or lead-colour. This species is from thirty to thirty-two inches loiig, and from twenty-nine to 

 thirty-one broad ; the wing measures nine inches and a half, and the tail sixteen inches. The female 

 is of inferior size, and has the entire plumage of a brownish grey tint, spotted and striped with black 

 and deep reddish brown ; the feathers on her back are darker than the rest of the body. The Banded 

 and Isabel Pheasants closely resemble the above bird in their general appearance : but the first is 

 distinguishable therefrom by a narrow white band on the throat, the deeper shade of its colouring, 

 and the comparative paleness of its black markings ; whilst the Isabel Pheasant is principally of a 

 light yellowish grey, each feather edged with a deeper shade, the belly, on the contrary, is very dark, 

 somerimes quite black. The females of both these last-mentioned varieties are similar to their mates 

 in the principal hues of their plumage. 



The Common Pheasant, which is now naturalised all over the European continent, was originally 

 introduced from Colchis, and derived its name from the river Phasis, in the neighbourhood of which 

 it was especially abundant. In its native country, now called Mingrelia, it is still to be found wild, 

 and of unequalled beauty. This bird, which is spread extensively over England, as far north as 

 Northumberland, prefers woods, especially those of oak or beech, and such as have a growth of long 

 grass and brambles, also damp ground where osiers and reeds abound, and hedgerows, but always 

 lives in the vicinity of wood and water. During the day these Pheasants remain on the ground, 

 moving quietly from bush to bush, as they go in search of food at dawn and sunset. In their 

 progress to their feeding-place they always run, and on this account are very easily taken by wire 

 snares set in the narrow paths that they make in the long grass which they constantly frequent. 

 Towards evenmg they go to roost on low branches, taking their place near the stem or trunk of the tree. 



