208 LECTURE VI. 



varieties, of which the most remarkable is that 

 called the Silk Fowl, (S. lanatus Lin.) in which 

 the whole body is covered with feathers so loosely 

 webbed as rather to represent hair than plumes. 

 This variety is most common in some parts of 

 China and Japan. Another very remarkable va- 

 riety of the common fowl is called the Negro 

 Foxvly in which not only the whole plumage, but 

 the comb, wattles, skin, and even the flesh itself 

 are entirely black. This variety is said to be 

 chiefly found in some of the lower parts of 

 Africa. 



The genus or particular set in which the fowl 

 is placed is entitled Phasianus, and comprehends 

 not only the fowl but all the Pheasants. Its cha- 

 racters are that the cheeks or sides of the head 

 are bare, or covered by a naked skin : that the 

 bill is short and strong, and that the legs, in most 

 species, are armed with spurs. 



The common Pheasant or Phasianus Colchicus 

 of Linnaeus, takes its title from the regions of the 

 ancient Colchos, where it was formerly found, and 

 from whence it was first brought into different 

 parts of Europe. Of late years some other highly 

 beautiful birds of this genus have been rendered 



