160 



Diseases of Pheasants. 



the formation of feathers totally distinct, not only in colour, 

 but in form, from those previously produced (as is most 

 conspicuously the case of the tippet of the Golden, or tail of 

 the Silver Pheasant) is a very remarkable circumstance, and 



SPUES DEVELOPED BY HEN PHEASANT. 



one that has not yet received a satisfactory physiological 

 explanation. (See Hamilton, P.Z.S., 1862, February 11.) 



A similar change, but in the other direction, viz., that of a 

 cock assuming female plumage, has been recorded, but in 

 very rare instances. Mr. J. G. Millais mentions a case in the 

 Ibis of 1897 ; the Hon. Walter Eothschild has one in his 

 collection ; and three others, in which the change was very 



