82 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



dians of their poultry; at the shghtest sound they raise 

 their voices and often give warning of the approach of 

 a Hawk. The flesh is dark in colour, and has a strong, 

 gamey taste. 



Besides the species represented, there are numerous 

 others known to science. Perhaps the most beautiful 

 is the Vulturine Guinea-fowl, in which the grey colour 

 is replaced by a delicate blue, and the feathers are 

 very long. 



The Pheasant tribe include some of the most bril- 

 liantly coloured birds in existence. They are natives 

 of China and India, some species extending into the 

 islands of the Indian Ocean. 



The best-known Pheasants to the Western world 

 are the Common and Ring-necked Pheasants of 

 Europe. Fossil remains show that they at one time 

 lived wild in Europe, and the present species may 

 have descended from these; but it is more likely that 

 they were introduced into England by the Romans. 

 The so-called Common Pheasant, the species figured, 

 is now very rare, because it has interbred with other 

 species which have been allowed to run wild. But 

 the Ring-necked Pheasant is the principal game-bird 

 of England and the continent of Europe, being kept 

 in large parks, or preserves, and shot at certain seasons 

 of the year. The eggs are usually placed under 

 domestic hens, as they are considered better mothers 

 than the female Pheasants. Great care is taken of 

 the young birds in order to bring them to maturity. 

 See Plate 26, Fig. 150. 



The male Ring-necked Pheasant is rich and pleas- 

 ing in colour, a splendid golden tone covering the 



