between the Black Grouse and Common Pheasant. 451 



publication, (" History of the Rarer Species of British Birds/') 

 Mr Eyton informs us, that the brood to which this bird belonged 

 consisted of five individuals, all of which were killed, though two 

 only are preserved. In the same work, (p. 101,) the fourth, and 

 last I know to be on record, is mentioned as having been obtained 

 near Corwen, in Wales, and is in the possession of Sir Rowland 

 Hill, Bart. 



There is not any notice of similar hybrids in the continental works 

 which I have had an opportunity of consulting, and as Temminck 

 is silent on the subject in his comprehensive publications, Histoire 

 Naturelle Generale des Pigeons et des Gallinaces, and Manuel 

 d'Ornithologie de l'Europe, such birds have most probably never 

 been met with on the continent of Europe. 



Mr White's description, with the exception of the " legs" being 

 " bare of feathers" applies admirably to the present specimen. He 

 observes, " The shape, air, and habit of the bird, and the scarlet 

 ring round the eyes, agreed well with the appearance of a cock 

 pheasant, but then the head and neck, and breast, and belly, were 

 of a glossy black ; and though it weighed 31b. 3^oz., the weight of 

 a large full-grown cock pheasant,* yet there were no signs of any 

 spurs on the legs, as is usual with all grown cock pheasants, who 

 have long ones. * * In the tail were no long bending feathers, 

 such as cock pheasants usually have, and are characteristic of the 

 sex. The tail was much shorter than that of a hen pheasant, and 

 blunt and square at the end. The back, wing-feathers, and tail 

 were all of a pale russet, curiously streaked." With the little that 

 is related of Mr Sabine's bird, the present individual agrees, but 

 differs much both in colour and dimensions from Mr Eyton's speci- 

 men. This latter is a female ; the one under consideration is pre- 

 sumed to be a male. In the following table its dimensions are con- 

 trasted with those of the cock pheasant and black-cock. 



Black JT K"d Cock 



Cock. !/ n • Pheasant. 



In. Lines. In. Lines. In. Lines. 



Length, (total.) . . 20 fO 25 3 34 



of tail, ... 90 19 



wing from carpus to end 



of longest quill, 9 9 10 3 9 9 



bill above to first feathers on 



ridge, . 8 11 10 



* Though the weight of the present specimen cannot now be determined, the 

 size of the body, it may be remarked, is equal to that of the cock pheasant. 

 f To centre of tail. 



