(^4) 



The Pheafant. PhaflanusT 



, , Numb. XXV, XXVI. 



^^ J ^"y TS Length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is 36 Inches; Breadth 



/ S3. '\. °^ ^^ Wings when extended 3 3 Inches ; they differ in Weight according as they 



.are fatter and leaner ; their common Weight is 45 Ounces when in Flefh, fome more 

 fome lefs ; the Bill, like thofe of other granivorous Birds, from the Tip to the Angles of 

 the Mouth an Inch and three Quarters long, in old Birds whitifh ; it hath on both Sides a 

 vfls(hy and tuberous Membrane, by which it is above joined to the Head, under which 

 the Noftrils are as it were hid ; the Irides of the Eyes yellow ; a red fcarlet Colour pow- 

 dered with black Specks compafTes the Eye round for a good Breadth ; in the fore Part 

 of the Head and at the Bafis of the upper Chap of the Bill the Feathers are black with 

 .a kind of purple Glofs ; the Crown of the Head and upper Part of the Neck arc tindured 

 with a dark green fhining like Silk, which is more dilute on the Crown of the Head. 

 Thcfe Colours make an agreeable Change of dark blue or green, according as the Light 

 and Shade falls thereon. It hath on both Sides of the Head about the Ears Feathers 

 Clicking out like Horns; there grow alfo to the Ears in their lower Angle black Feathers 

 longer than the reft; the Sides of the Neck and Throat are of a fliining purple Colour; 

 the Feathers under the Chin and at the Angles of the Mouth are black with green Edgea 

 ^r Borders. 



Below the green the reft of the Neck, the Breaft, Shoulders, Middle of the Back and 

 Sides under the Wings are clothed with moft beautiful Feathers, having their Bottoms 

 black and their Edges tindlured with a moft beautiful Colour, which, as it is diverfly object- 

 ed, appears to the Light either black or purple; next to, the purple in each Feather is a 

 crofs Line or Bed of a moft fplendid gold Colour ; below the Gold a fulvous Colour which 

 reaches as low as the black Bottom ; the gold Colour is not immediately contiguous to 

 the fulvous, but divided by an intermediate narrow Line of a fliining purplifti ; on the 

 under Side of the Neck the Extremities of the Feathers are painted with a black Spot 

 ^f the Figure of a Parabola ; the Shafts of all are fulvous ; the whole Bird is variegated 

 with thele Colours darker and Ughter, fome Feathers here and there having Spots and 

 Lines of white ; the two middlcmoft Feathers of the Tail arc 22 Inches long, having on 

 each Side 8 more which decreafc both in Length and Bignefs, the exterior being the 

 (horteft and kaft ; they are of an olive Colour ; on the Sides ferrugineous with a caft of 

 green ; near the Shafts adorned with black Spots on each Side in the two longeft Feathers, 

 and on the others on the exterior Side only. 



The Legs, Feet, Toes and Claws are of a horn Colour; the Toes and Claws darker 

 than the Legs ; a thick Membrane connedls the Toes, which is not found in any other 

 of the pulveratricious Birds ; the Legs are armed with Spurs fliort, ftiarp and black. 

 The Hen is not fo beautiful as the Cock, being almoft of the Colour of a Quail but 

 darker. 



They live in the Woods and feed upon Acorns, Berries, Grains, Seeds and Infeds, and 

 rather frequent the Coppice-woods, than where there are only Timber-trees. 



All Authors give to the Pheafant, for the Goodnefs of his Flefti and delicate Tafte, the 

 firft Place at the Table among Birds, and is in high Efteem with great Perfonages; 

 it is better when killed by a Hawk than when fhot or otherwife taken, the Flefh being 

 more ihort and tender. 



'The 



