THE GOLDEN PHEASANT 



to hooks, above and below, which will prevent the sheets 

 from flopping about during a windy night. 



Elliot, in his valuable Monograph on the Pheasant, describes 

 Thaumalea Picta as follows ; and it will be noted that the 

 description given is a very accurate one, coinciding with what 

 one finds actually exists in typical specimens of the species : — 



" One of the longest known species of Pheasant, but it 

 still retains its position as one of the most beautiful. Early 

 introduced into Europe from China, its native country, it is 

 familiar to everyone, and no bird is more suited, both as 

 regards its gentle disposition, and strong contrasting colours 

 of plumage, to become an inhabitant of the aviary. It breeds 

 readily in confinement, and the chicks are not difficult to rear, 

 but grow rapidly. Nothing is more beautiful than to see a 

 number of these birds scattered about upon a lawn, their 

 active movements executed with much grace, while their 

 scarlet breasts appear to great advantage against the bright 

 green grass. The ruff of the male is capable of considerable 

 extension, and when paying his addresses to the female, he 

 is accustomed to draw it entirely over the side of his face 

 which is nearest to her." 



Mr Swinhoe has furnished the following facts regarding 

 this species : — 



" T. Picta is found in the provinces of Hoonan, Kweichou, 

 Yunnan, S.W. Hooper and S.E. Szechuna. It is very 

 common about the mountains near Ichang, and is brought 

 from thence to the Hankow market. Europeans have shot 

 it near the banks of the Yangtse, lOO miles north of 

 Hankow. It is taken to Canton and exposed in the bird 

 shops for sale. Those offered are nearly always males, and 



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