GOLDEN PHEASANT 83 



whole body, the feathers arranged hke scales. Around 

 the neck is a pure white ring, and the skin about the 

 eye is a brilliant red. The females are much duller in 

 hue, although they have some beautiful feathers. 



These birds have been introduced into the United 

 States, and ia certain parts of the country, notably in 

 Oregon, they have multiplied to an extraordinary ex- 

 tent. The flesh is highly prized. The Pheasant is 

 not a satisfactory bird to keep in close confinement, 

 as it never loses its extreme shyness, and is apt to in- 

 jure itself by flying against the bars of its cage. 



The most brilliantly coloured member of this family 

 is the Golden Pheasant, a native of China. On ac- 

 count of its resplendent plumage it is usually seen in 

 collections. It is impossible to give any adequate idea 

 of the brilliance of the feathers, which glisten as if 

 illuminated from beneath, and the various plates, bars, 

 and scales arranged over the body of the bird make 

 it seem as if clothed in armour. A study of the figure 

 of the Golden Pheasant will do more than words to 

 indicate this remarkable colouration. The male has 

 the ability to spread out the long neck-feathers into 

 a wide, circular cape. See Plate 25, Fig. 146. 



The Silver Pheasant is another form commonly seen 

 in aviaries. It is now rare in a wild state, and little 

 is known of its habits, except in confinement. The 

 upper surface of the body is white, covered with fine 

 black lines; the breast is dark, and the long tail- 

 feathers are white. See Plate 26, Fig. 151. 



The Impeyan Pheasant is probably the most bril- 

 liant of all iridescent birds, the colours ranging 

 through the spectrum from orange to yellow. The 



