Elliot's, CoppEtt, and Reeves's Pheasant.s. 



25 



coverts, the species is still not very abundant and 

 rather dear. 



This is a pity, as it is a very beautiful bird, and pro- 

 duces most nandsome hybrids with the ordinary breed, 

 the cross much enhancing the beauty o: their lacing. In 

 one case the Japanese birds were observed to keep true 

 and remain in one locality, but how long this would last 

 is doubtful. As a bird suited for both covert and 

 aviary this species possesses double reooramendatioas, 

 and hence is one of the best to keep, as it would be easy 

 to dispose of eggs and surplus birds, at any rate till 

 the variety becomes much commoner than it is at 

 present. The same remark applies with even greater 

 force to the magnificent Reeves's Pheasant, which I shall 

 have occasion to treat of in the next chapter. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



ELLIOT'S, COPPER, AND REEVES'S 



PHEASANTS. 



These birds bear a close general resemblance in form 

 and habits to the species last described, and are gene- 

 rally classed by naturalists in the same genus. They 

 differ, however, in some minor points, and especially in 



that the cocks have the saddle composed of ordinary firm 

 rounded feathers. 



Tlie hens bear a general resemblance to those of the 

 common Plieasant type, but are of a warmer brown, 

 and have tails with' the outer pairs of feathers more 

 or less cinnamon tipped with white. They are also 

 sufficiently distinct Irom each other to be recognised 

 without any special difficulty. 



The species are all hardy enough, but not so easy to 

 .manage as some of the others. 



Elliot's Pheasant. 

 {Phaaiamif! ellioti,) 



The plumage of the male of this species is very pecu- 

 liar and characteristic. The general hue is a very rich 

 golden hay without lacing, but varied by a white belly 

 and two white bars on the wing; The head and neck 

 are whitish grey, with the throat black all the way 

 down to the breast ; the saddle is black laced with 

 whit e, and the tail pale grey barred with cinnamon. Alto- 

 gether the bird looks like some even-marked fancy 

 breed ; he is about the size of the common Pheasant. 



The hen's mottled brown plumage is diversi.led by 

 white in the centre of the belly and black on the throat, 

 markings which will distinguish her from any other hen 

 Pheasant. 



This species comes from China, and John Chinaman 



Common Pheasants. 



