96 BIRDS 



The Silver and Kalij Pheasants form a genus (Gennceus) 

 which includes a large number of handsome birds, many 

 of them so closely allied as to make their identity difficult 

 for the novice to determine. Of these birds, the most 

 abundant in confinement is the Silver (G. nycthemerus) . 

 After the Ring-neck and the Golden, this is the species most 

 commonly seen in collections. The cock is a conspicuous 

 bird, snowy white above, with black vermiculations and the 

 crest and lower parts glossy blue-black. It breeds freely, 

 the chicks are easily reared, and altogether it is a most satis- 

 factory bird. Individuals often become exceedingly tame 

 and may be allowed to run about the grounds. Unlike some 

 smaller species, they are quite able to defend themselves 

 against prowling cats, and no danger is to be apprehended 

 from this source. 



Closely allied to the Silver is the Lineated Pheasant 

 (G. lineatus). It is an uncommon bird, but occasionally to 

 be had from dealers. It differs from the Silver in its 

 somewhat smaller size, and in the relation of dark and light 

 vermiculations in the upper parts, the result making it a 

 much darker bird than its relative. 



The Kalij Pheasant cocks are black in general coloration, 

 the species being differentiated by the distribution of white 

 markings. The hens are all very much alike and only dis- 

 tinguishable by careful comparison. 



The most common is the Black-crested Kalij (G. leu- 

 comelanus). The male is black throughout, the feathers of 

 the lower back broadly tipped with white and those of the 

 breast tinged with ashy. This pheasant is commonly sold 

 as " Melanotus." 



The Melanotus or Black-backed Ka^ij (G. melano- 

 tus) is a much rarer bird and lacks the white tips on the 

 back. These two species are very commonly confused and 

 much interbred, so that pure birds are difficult to obtain. 



