WILD HYBRIDS 



Genus CROSSOPTILON 



Of the five usually recognized species of this genus I can accept but three, and 

 indeed I am not wholly satisfied that two of these are of more than sub-specific rank, 

 making but two full species. 



Crossoptilon mantckuricum Swinhoe. 

 Crossoptilon auritum (Pallas). 

 Crossoptilon tibetanum (Hodgson). 



A review of the specimens of the two latter species in many museums shows that 

 many birds from the eastern part of the range show characters intermediate between 

 the blue auritum and the white tibetanum. This may be observed in a variable amount 

 of white, a differing number of tail-feathers and even asymmetrical patterns, developed 

 to a greater extent on one side than the other. This hints strongly of hybridization. 

 In these intermediate localities have been found not only typical specimens of each, 

 but also a number of these parti-coloured birds, to some of which has been given specific 

 rank. These are, in my opinion, examples of that very unusual phenomenon in nature — 

 hybridism, between the two very distinctly coloured forms. No other explanation seems 

 open. 



Crossoptilon harmani 



I wish to present evidence which seems to indicate that this so-called species is 

 only one of many variations, due to the crossing of auritum and tibetanum. The 

 particular individuals which approached the original description of harmani resemble 

 much more closely auritum than they do the white species of Eared-pheasant. 



In order to sum up completely the evidence, I shall give in full the original 

 description, which, with a coloured plate was published in the "Ibis" for 1881 by 

 Henry J. Elwes. 



"Crossoptilon harmani, sp. nov. (Plate XIII). 



" Bill horn-colour tinged with red, 1^ inch long from gape, and £ inch deep at 

 nostril. Lores and a space surrounding the eye, 2 inches long by 1 inch deep, naked, 

 red. Top of head covered with short velvety blue-black feathers. A band on occiput, 

 chin, and middle of throat, for a space of about 5 inches from the beak, white. Ear- 

 coverts produced, nearly 2 inches long, white. Rest of neck, back, wing-coverts, breast, 

 flanks, and under tail-coverts dark slaty bluish. Upper tail-coverts long, rather greyer 

 than back. Centre of belly white. Primaries and secondaries dark slaty bluish, with 

 purplish reflections. Wing 12 inches long. Tail composed of twenty graduated 



feathers, the central pair about 18 inches long, the lateral pair about 9 inches, bluish 

 cc 193 



