174 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



pot-hunter. They have, of course, no legal protection at any season of the year, nor 

 if they had would it be of any avail in this land of superstition and ignorance. The 

 loose flowing central tail-feathers of the Brown Eared-pheasant are stated to have been 

 formerly worn by Tartar warriors. At the present day there is not nearly so great a 

 demand for these feathers in Pekin and northern China as in central and western China, 

 where the blue species of Crossoptilon is sought eagerly for these ornamental plumes. 



CAPTIVITY 



The bird was first received at the Zoological Gardens in London, and the Jardin 

 d'Acclimatation of Paris about the year 1864. During the following few years a con- 

 siderable number were bred in Europe, four recorded hatchings numbering respectively 

 seven, nine, ten and eight chicks. Over one hundred were reared in 1868, and. twice 

 that number in 1869 by various amateurs. For a time hopes were entertained of 

 reproducing this bird in large numbers. In 187 1 the result of these expectations is 

 summed up as follows, the author referring to specimens in the London Zoological 

 Gardens : " As regards our living specimens, I regret to say that our hopes of 

 introducing this fine bird permanently into Europe appear likely to be miserably 

 disappointed. Nearly all those in our Gardens, both introduced and bred, alike have 

 sickened and died, and at the present moment we are left with two females only. In 

 most of the continental gardens, so far as I can make out, nearly the same event has 

 taken place." In 1866 the price for a single pair was $400. Four years later it had 

 fallen to $100. 



Of twenty individuals which have been kept in the London Gardens, one has 

 a record of three years and a half. The average longevity, however, is less than two 

 years — to be exact, twenty-two and a half months. 



The shortness of life in captivity of these birds is all the more regrettable because of 

 their remarkable penchant for domesticity. This almost equals the domesticability of 

 the red junglefowl and mallard duck. The chicks show absolutely no fear of man and 

 are always running over one's shoes or plucking at the clothing of their keeper. Now 

 and then an individual will be found which is of an irascible disposition and always 

 ready to attack one's ankles with beak and occasionally with spurs, but this is a rare 

 exception. Usually Brown Eared-pheasants are most amiable and quiet, and in a 

 very short time will come up without fear and take food from one's hand, murmuring 

 contentedly to themselves. While the flesh is not particularly good eating, and the 

 habits of the birds are far from appealing to the desires of a sportsman, yet the birds are 

 exceedingly graceful and of great interest, and would be a worthy addition to any estate 

 or aviary. As it is, their reproduction in captivity in any numbers is not possible, 

 and their continued existence on the earth will depend on some part of their rather 

 restricted range being conserved before it is too late. 



In captivity the hens lay from twelve to sixteen eggs, indeed forty-one have been 

 obtained from two pairs of birds. I believe, however, that this is a much greater number 

 than the normal nest complement. Six to eight is probably the more usual number. 

 The period of incubation is between twenty-eight and thirty days, and the only hint we 

 have as to division of labour between the sexes is the statement that in captivity the 



