THE GOLDEN PHEASANT. 219 



mofctloil ap[)eiirance ; the other feathers are barred diag-ijiially 

 with (hirlc l)i-own on a lighter ground. On each si(hj of tlie 

 base of the tail extend the long narrow upper tail coverts of a 

 bright orange criuisoii. Tlie wings when closed show the 

 deep l;)hie tertiaries covering the chesnut secondary quills. 

 The npper pa.rt of the throat is light brown; the In'east and 

 under parts orauge-scarlet. Taken altogether, its appearance 

 is so remarkable that it hjoks more like oae of the Ijizarre 

 creations of Chinese fancy than a real bird, ddie lards of 

 this genus ditfer from the true ]iheasarits, in the fact that 

 the mature masculine jdumnge is not assumed untd the 

 autumu of the second year ; the young cocks looking, 

 during tlie lirst twelve mouths ol their lives, very much 

 like the hens, from which, however, they can be readily 

 distinguished bj' pulling one or two of the leathers of the 

 neck, which are reproduced of the elistinctive masculine 

 character. 



The hens are \'ery plain and unoljtrnsive, lieing barred 

 with alternate shades of light and dark brown. When 

 barren, thev, Kke the other birds of the family, assume the 

 more gorgeous apparel of the male. 



Under the name of the Black-Throated or Java (iolden 

 Pheasant [Tim ninnlca oliscura), a A'ariet}' of this bird has been 

 described as "a good sjiecies." It has never been (jbtaiued 

 in a wild state, and is evidently merely a variety that, 

 like the black-winged peacock, may ajipear at any time 

 amongst birds of the ordinary type, and could ne\"er Ije 

 regarded as a species Ijy those wiio liaA'e studieil the subject 

 of variation practically. It differs merely in the upper 

 part of the throat being darker in cohjur and oI)scurely 

 spangled, in the pattern of the mottling of the upper tail 

 feathers, and in the general darker hue of the females and 

 young. 



One of the best and most complete accounts of the habits 

 a,nd management of the Golden Pheasant in confinement is 

 that written Ijy Mr. ^V . Sinclaire, of Belfast, and published 



