PHEASANTS 93 



on European estates, and the Chinese Ring-neck (P. 

 torquatiis), introduced within comparatively recent times. 

 These two have interbred so freely in game preserves as 

 to eliminate completely pure-blooded birds of both forms. 

 The pure English Pheasant, the male of which is character- 

 ized by maroon rump and the black neck lacking a white 

 collar, is now exceedingly rare, even in its eastern habitat. 



The Chinese Ring-neck, commonly confused with the very 

 distinct Mongolian, is still abundant in China, and is fre- 

 quently seen in captivity. In color it is lighter than the 

 English Ring-neck and the white collar is usually much 

 wider. This species has been introduced with great success 

 in the Pacific states and has proven hardier than the hybrid. 



The male Mongolian Pheasant (P- mongoUcus) is 

 very dark in general coloration, somewhat resembling the 

 English Pheasant, except that it has a white collar and white 

 wing coverts. The female, on the contrary, is very pale, 

 but is readily distinguished by her white eyes. 



A rather uncommon bird is the Formosan Pheasant 

 (P. formosanus), found only on the island from which 

 it takes its name. This bird resembles the Chinese Ring- 

 neck in general coloration but is still paler. 



The smallest species of the group is the Japanese or 

 Versicolor Pheasant (P. versicolor). The general tone 

 of the upper portion of the plumage is light slate, the entire 

 breast being a brilliant green. The hen is much the darkest 

 of the group. The Japanese Pheasant has been tried on 

 English preserves, where it has crossed freely with the 

 already mongrel stock. 



The only other pheasant found in Japan is the Soem- 

 mering or Copper Pheasant (P. saemmeringii) , which 

 has been divided into three subforms, depending upon the 

 amount of white in the lower back. This handsome bird is 

 very uncommon in captivity, and generally commands a 



