58 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA AND ASIA. 



the first Superintendent of the Indian Museum 

 at IMomien in the Yunnan province, where it was 

 conamon on grassy hills at an elevation of five 

 thousand feet. Recently it has turned up in 

 Burma, at about the same elevation, in the Nor- 

 thern Shan States, where one was shot by Lieu- 

 tenant H. R. Wallis. 



There is considerable difference of opinion as 

 to exactly how many species or races of the 

 pheasants of this type are to be recognised ; but 

 the following are easily distinguishable and well 

 known : — 



Common Pheasant. 



Phasianus cokhiciis, Brit. Mus. Cat., Birds. Vol. XXII, 

 p. 322. 



This species ranges from Greece to tlirougli Asia JMinor and 

 Transcaucasia, and is still common in the vicinitj' of the ancient 

 Phasis (the modern River Rion, in Mingrelia), whence, classical 

 tradition says, it was imported into Europe. The pure bird, in 

 addition to the absence of white neck-ring and to having sandy 

 wings, is distinguished by having the rump dark maroon red, 

 with no green or grey tinge ; the eggs are olive in colour. 



Ring-Necked Pheasant. 



Phasianus torquattis, Brit. Mus. Cat., Birds, Vol. XXII, 

 P- 331- 



This is the characteristic Pheasant of China, ranging from 

 the Lower Amoor to Canton ; it has been known in Britain for 

 more than a century. The pure Chinese bird has white eve- 

 brows and collar, grey wings and rump, and the flanks distinctly 

 paler than the breast, being buff ; the Forniosau race (P. 

 fonnosaiius) has their primrose-colour. The hen is drab, mottled 

 with black, like that of the Common Pheasant. 



