40 



PHEASANTS FOB COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



Caspian, the valleys of the Caucasus, and Northern Asia 

 Minor. Very closely allied forms, however, are to be met 

 with from the Caspian, through Asia, to the shores and 

 islands of China." 



Professor H. H. Giglioli, writing of Corsica, states : " I 

 was repeatedly assured of the presence in the island, among 

 the hills of Aleria on the eastern coast, of the pheasant 

 {Phasianus colchicus) in a perfectly wild condition. I see that 

 Mr. Jesse reports the same thing. ... I am still making 

 inquiries on the subject ; but, as far as I can see, no record of 

 its introduction by man is forthcoming." {Ibis, April, 1881.) 



The vignette represents the head of a hen pheasant with 

 a singular beak, the upper mandible having passed between 

 the sides of the lower jaw. The bird was found dead from 

 starvation. It is evident that the deformity was caused by 

 the bird flying againsb a branch, the blow bending the upper 

 mandible and causing it to pass between the rami of the 

 lower. 



^sw^ 



