Vlll 



PREFACE 



The birds are illustrated in nearly one hundred coloured plates by six of the leading 

 American and English artists. The haunts of the pheasants are shown in an equally 

 large number of photogravures, reproduced from the author's photographs, ranging in 

 scene from the slopes of the Himalayan snow peaks, sixteen thousand feet above the 

 sea, to the tropical sea-shores of Java. In addition to these are found numerous maps 

 showing the distribution of the birds, diagrams of feathers, and numerous other 

 illustrations. The elaborate history of the Red Junglefowl, the ancestor of our 

 domesticated poultry, is unique, and the story of the part that this fowl has played in 

 human history is a phase of the subject which has not before been presented. For the 

 naturalist-sportsman, stories and detailed directions for the shooting of the pheasants 

 in their native lands have been collated, while legends and native superstitions round 

 out the account of the relation of these birds to mankind. For the reader interested in 

 keeping and breeding these beautiful birds, there is included a rdsumd of the best 

 methods in use, both on large preserves and estates, as well as in the many small 

 aviaries, which are now found both in England and America. 



Never, perhaps, in the history of the birds of the earth will it be possible to produce 

 another work of quite such scope ; for not a month passes but the rarer birds of all 

 kinds are being pushed back further into the jungle and into the mountains, where 

 before long they will make their last stand. Hence the monograph presents a very 

 strong sentimental appeal to all bird lovers. 



This monograph, which represents eight years of preparation, is by far the most 

 important scientific work as yet undertaken by the New York Zoological Society. 

 That the author has fulfilled his part, both in exploration and in subsequent scientific 

 research and in popular as well as detailed description, will be witnessed on every page 

 of these four volumes, which, we trust, may ever endure as a monument to the labours 

 of the author and to the generosity of the benefactor. 



Henry Fairfield Osborn, 



President of the New York Zoological Society. 

 New York City. 



