REEVES', OR THE BAR-TAILED PHEASANT 



but opinions differ as to whether the hybrids thus produced 

 prove fertile or otherwise, there being insufficient evidence to 

 give any dogmatic statements in relationship to this matter, but 

 the author sees no reason why Reeves' hybrids — the product 

 of the Reeves' cock and the common hen Pheasant of the 

 coverts, should not produce fertile birds. As aviary birds, 

 Reeves' Pheasant crossed with the Golden, produces hybrids 

 unsurpassed in beauty, and birds that thrive remarkably well 

 in confinement. 



In coverts where the trees are tall, the introduction of 

 several birds of this species would be a distinct advantage, 

 and lead to the production of towering Pheasants, provided 

 that circumstances are favourable. 



Adult Male. — The crown, white, surrounded by a wide 

 black band ; chin, throat and nape, white, margined below 

 by a black ring which surrounds the neck. The upper 

 parts, mostly cinnamon, each feather bordered with black 

 presenting a scale -like appearance. Wing coverts, white, 

 broadly margined and centred with black; chest, sides of 

 breast and flank feathers, somewhat similar, the two former 

 with chestnut margins, the latter with buff extremities ; rest 

 of under parts, black. Middle pair of tail feathers, enormously 

 elongated, white down the middle, barred with black and 

 chestnut and brownish-black on the sides ; outermost pair, 

 buff, tipped with black. Total length, 6 feet 6 inches ; 

 wing, 10.3 inches; tail, 5 feet; tarsus, 3.1 inches. 



Adult Female. — Crown, reddish-brown ; rest of head and 

 neck, buff, except ear coverts, and a band across the nape, 

 which are mostly a bluish-brown. Feathers of the upper 

 mantle, rufous, tipped with brownish-grey, mottled with 

 black, and each with a somewhat heart-shaped spot. Rest of 

 the upper parts mottled with rufous buff and grey. The 

 wing coverts and scapulars with buff and the lower back 



51 



