THE COMMON PHEASANT 



sides the same, each feather largely tipped with black, 

 reflecting glossy purple. Feathers of upper part of back, 

 orange-red tipped with black; feathers of black and 

 scapulars have the centre black, or spotted with black, 

 outside which is a yellowish band, and the outer margin 

 red -orange. Lower part of back and tail coverts, purplish 

 red, tinged with green, purple and other reflections — the 

 feathers long and pendant ; quill feathers, dull greyish- 

 brown, varied with pale wood brown ; wing coverts, of 

 two shades of red ; centre of belly, thighs, vent and under- 

 tail coverts, brownish-black. Tail feathers very long, the 

 two middle ones the longest, occasionally measuring 2 

 feet ; the outside ones, which are the shortest, are less than 

 6 inches long. All are of a reddish-brown, with trans- 

 verse lines of black, about i inch apart. Legs, toes 

 and claws, dusky ; on each leg is a spur, which becomes 

 sharp after the first year. 



" The female is less than the male ; the whole plumage 

 more sober ; general colour, light brown, varied with 

 darker brown and black ; the upper part of the neck in 

 some lights shows iridescent reflections ; space round the 

 eye is feathered ; breast and belly, dotted with small black 

 spots on a light ground. Tail short, but barred similarly 

 to that of the male." 



Elliot, in speaking of P- Colchicus, has some very 

 interesting remarks concerning this bird, and as the 

 monograph containing it is a remarkably scarce work, 

 the author considers it will be of interest to reproduce 

 Mr Elliot's remarks : — 



"No member of the Phasianidce has been longer or 

 more generally known than the above-mentioned species of 



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