CHAPTEE XYII. 



PHEASANTS ADAPTED EOR THE AYIARY (CONTINUED). 



THE SILVER PHEASANT {HUPLO CAMUS NYCTSEMEBUS) AND 



ALLIED SPECIES. 



N D E R the name of Hwjglocamus nycthemerus the Silver 

 Pheasant has heen known to naturalists since the time of 

 Linnseus. In the earlier works on natural history, such as 

 that of Alhin, puhlished in 1738, and Edwards, in 1751, it was 

 termed the Black and White Chinese Pheasant, which name was 

 employed hy BtifEon ; it was also termed the Pencilled and 

 Lineated Pheasant, and by Temminck, the Faisan hicolor. 



Its native locality was first definitely ascertained by Consul 

 Swinhoe, who informs us that it inhabits the wooded hills in the 

 interior of southern China. Writing to Mr. Elliot, he states : — " This bird is known 

 to the Chinese as the Fih Seen, and it is one of those which are embroidered upon 

 the heart-and-back badges of the official dresses of the civil mandarins to denote 

 the rank of the wearers. So far as I have ascertained, it is found in the wooded 

 mountains of the following provinces : — Eokein, Canton, Kwangse, and Kweichou. 

 It is brought to Canton city from the province of Kwangse by the west river, and 

 offered alive in the shops for sale. All the birds I have seen so offered have been 

 captured; I do not think the Chinese had the bird in confinement. A friend 

 of mine shot one in some woods, in the mountains about 100 miles from Amoy 

 (Province Pokein), but I have never met with the species in my rambles." 



Prom their large size, commanding appearance, and the beauty of the markings. 

 Silver Pheasants have long been favourites in our aviaries. They have the additional 

 recommendation of being exceedingly hardy^ of laying freely in captivity, and of 

 being easy to rear when young. They also become perfectly tame, feeding freely 

 from the hand. These birds could be readily domesticated, if it were thought 

 desirable to do so. I have known several instances where they have been allowed 

 to rxm at full liberty, and have seen the birds sufficiently tame to come and stand 

 before a window, waiting for their accustomed treat at the hands of the members 



