PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



P. Versicolor was first introduced into Great Britain during 

 1840, and it is rather singular to relate how the breed was 

 established into British game preserves. A male [and female 

 were imported, but the hen died, and the male bird had to be 

 utilised for crossing with P. Colchicus. The birds of the 

 first generation were half and half, those of the second 

 generation, three-quarter bred, whilst the succeeding genera- 

 tions were mated with the parent bird, until a pure stock 

 of P. Versicolor was finally established. {See Chapter on 

 Hybrids.) It was fortunate that it was the hen bird that 

 died, otherwise the difficulty of restoring the breed would 

 have been much greater. 



The Japanese Pheasant is regarded as having little dis- 

 position to stray, which is a recommendation, and also that 

 they are good flyers ; the male hybrids, i.e., P. Versicolor plus 

 P. Colchicus, resemble Stone's Pheasant {Pkasianus Elegans), 

 which is a native of South-western China. Pkasianus Versicolor 

 has a most distinctive plumage, and there is no difficulty in 

 recognising birds of this species. The whole of the neck and 

 under parts of the body are a magnificent deep green, bluish- 

 green in reality, whilst the back of the neck, breast and under 

 surface, are a brighter green. The scapularies are a distinct 

 chestnut, with buffy markings. Tail coverts a slaty green. 

 The tail is barred and has a total length of 17 inches, whilst 

 the length of the bird is about 30 inches. In the female the 

 length of the tail is 10 inches, and her total length 24 inches. 

 The best description concerning the plumage of these birds 

 that the author has come across, is that given in Mr Gould's 

 Birds of Asia, from which the following extract is made : — 



"The male has the forehead, crown, and occiput, purplish 



oiled green ; ear tufts, glossy green ; chin, throat and sides 



and back of the neck, glossy changeable bluish-green ; back 



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