240 The Silver Pheasant. 



perhaps in Chekiang. He says that most of the Golden and 

 Silver pheasants that one sees at Shanghai come from Japan, 

 where these two Chinese species are reared in captivity. The 

 Silver Pheasant is known in China by the names of Ing-ky 

 (Silver Fowl) and Pae-ky (White Fowl). Very httle indeed 

 is known of the habits of this extremely fine species in a wild 

 state, though it has long been one of the commonest aviary 

 birds. The males are, unfortunately, so extremely pugnacious 

 and such big heavy birds that they fight with, and often kill, 

 any other male pheasant living in the same aviary, and for 

 this reason must be kept separate." 



From their large size, commanding appearance, and the 

 beauty of the markings, Silver Pheasants have long been 

 favourites in our aviaries. They have the additional recom- 

 mendation of being exceedingly hardy, of laying freely in 

 captivity, and of being easy to rear when young. They also 

 become perfectly tame, feeding freely from the hand. These 

 birds could be readily domesticated, if it were thought desirable 

 to do so. I have known several instances where they have 

 been allowed to run at full liberty, and have seen the birds 

 sufficiently tame to come and stand before a window, waiting 

 for their accustomed treat at the hands of the members of 

 the family. The hens, though not usually allowed to do so, 

 will readilj^ hatch their own eggs, and attend upon their 

 chickens with all the care of common fowls. Some years 

 ago I saw a pair belonging to Mr. Clarence Bartlett, in a 

 moderate-sized aviary, the hen of which had laid, hatched, 

 and was rearing a strong, healthy brood of young, the cock 

 being active in defence of his family, and attacking most 

 viciously any person going into the inclosure. No game 

 cock could be more determined or courageous in his behaviour ; 

 and the sharp spurs with which this species is armed render 

 his assault a thing to be avoided, as he would fly at the face 

 of the intruder on his domain. 



Silver Pheasants can be easily domesticated and reared 

 among the other denizens of the poultry yard, but in such 



