CHAPTER XXI. 



PUEASAMS ADAPTED TO THE AVIARY 

 (CONTINUED). 



THK KXRKD PHEASANT {CROSSOrTILON 

 MANTCHirRICU.U). 



; F thf remarkiiijle group of birds known :is the Eai-ed 

 ^MM h I'heasants, constituting the genns (''ro.ssop/iliiii, Hve 

 sjieeies are known, though only two, tlie ^lant- 

 cliuriau [0. iiKoifcltnricnia) and tlie white Tiljer 

 species (C. tihit<niHni), liave been received in EiirMpe 

 5 m a living state. 



The Eared Pheasants differ in njany very essential particu- 

 lars from the nioi'e coniniou species. Both sexes are alike m 

 plumage, and are only to be distinguished by the presence of 

 spurs on the legs of tlie males. The large size and peculiar 

 character of the tail coverts separate them from anv allied 

 group. The lirst specimens seen alive were presented tn the 

 Zoological Society by ^Ir. Dudley E. Saurin in 18ti(> ; since 

 that time others have been imported, and a considerable 

 number have been lired in this country and on the Continent. 

 The Mantchurian Eared Pheasant is more I'emarkable for 

 the singular arrangement of its plumage than f(jr brilliancy 

 of colouring, in this latter resjiect not approaching the 

 gorgeous hues of the true pheasants, nr many of the closely- 

 allied birds. The geueral colour of the body is a sombjre 

 brown; tlie tiaie tail feathers are white, with dark rips; but 

 the bird derives its remai'kable appearance from its firge size 

 and the peculiar character of the tail coverts, which spring 



K 



