CHAPTEE XXI. 

 The Eared Pheasant 



(Gi'ossoptilon manchuricum) . 



OF the remarkable group of birds known as the Eared 

 Pheasants, constituting the genus Crossoptilon, five 

 species are known, though only two, the Manchurian 

 (G. manchuricum) and the white Tibet species (C. tibetanum), 

 have been received in Europe in a living state. 



The Eared Pheasants differ in many very essential particu- 

 lars from the more common species. Both sexes are alike 

 in plumage, and are only to be distinguished by the presence 

 of spurs on the legs of the males. The large size and pecuHar 

 character of the tail coverts separate them from any allied 

 group. The first specimens seen alive were presented to the 

 Zoological Society by Mr. Dudley E. Saurin in 1866 ; since that 

 time others have been imported, and a considerable number 

 have been bred in this country and on the Continent. 



The Manchurian Eared Pheasant is more remarkable for 

 the singular arrangement of its plumage than for brilliancy 

 of colouring, in this latter respect not approaching the 

 gorgeous hues of the true pheasants, or many of the closely- 

 allied birds. The general colour of the body is a sombre 

 brown ; the true tail feathers are white, with dark tips ; but 

 the bird derives its remarkable appearance from its large 

 size and the peculiar character of the tail coverts, which spring 

 from the lower part of the back, and in great part obscure 

 the true tail. These tail coverts are white, and have the 

 barbs separated, so that they form an elegant appendage to 

 the body. The legs and feet of the Eared Pheasant are red 

 in colour, and of true scratching or rasorial type, the claws 

 being bluntly curved, like those of the common fowl. The 



