CHAPTER XV. 



PHEASANTS ADAPTED TO THE COVERT 

 (CONTINUED). 



HAGENBBCK'S PHEASANT {PEASIANU8 

 EAGENBEOKI). 



|IhIS species of pheasant — whicli has been intro- 

 i duced into England in large numbers in a frozen 

 condition, and would, from its large size, beautiful 

 plumage, and fine edible qualities, be a most advan- 

 tageous addition to our coverts — was first described 

 and exhibited by the Hon. Walter Rothschild at the 

 meeting of the British Ornithologists' Olub on November 20, 

 1901. Mr. Rothschild's description was as follows : — 



"This species is somewhat allied to P. torquatus, 

 Gm., but differs in the following points : — The scapulars are 

 paler rufous buff, instead of dark bright chocolate-rufous or 

 maroon-chocolate, as in P. torquatus. The flanks and breast' 

 are much paler, as are also the feathers of the hindneck and 

 mantle. The crown is clear chromium-green, instead of oUve- 

 green ; the superciliary stripe is twice as broad and snow- 

 white, instead of greenish buffy white. The most striking 

 difference, however, is in the feathers of the upper rump and 

 lower back. In P. torquatus these have a sub-terminal, oval, 

 transverse, and narrow bar of green, then one of buffy grey, 

 then a more or less interrupted one of black, and, lastly, a 

 black, longitudinal centre, with the pale space on each side 

 vermiculated with black. In P. hagenbecM these feathers 



