372 ZOOLOGY. 
cocks, is the Argus pheasant, Argus giganteus (pl. 96, fig. 8). It is a 
native of Sumatra, and is supposed also to inhabit continental Asia as far 
north as China. In size the Argus is not much superior to the common 
fowl, but the great length of the wing and tail feathers makes it appear 
much larger. It is almost impossible to convey by description only any 
idea of the blending of colors in this magnificent bird. The throat and 
cheeks are naked. The lower part of the body is reddish-brown, every — 
feather regularly spotted with yellow and black; the upper parts are 
covered with large black spots separated by lines of ochre-yellow; the 
upper tail coverts are clear yellow and the tail deep chestnut. The wing © 
feathers are spotted with green and shades of brown in the most beauilgl 
manner. The Argus has not been domesticated. 
The diamond pheasant (Polyplectron chinguis) and several other birds 
of splendid plumage are arranged here, nearly all of which are natives of 
India. 
Sub-fam. 2. Phasianine, or Pheasants. Bill moderate, strong, straight, 
and slightly arched at the tip; wings short, rounded; tail greatly length- 
ened ; tarsi and feet very strong. Size various; colors generally very 
ieee: 
Another group of splendid birds exclusively belonging to the old world. 
The pheasant of Europe, Phasianus colchicus (pl. 96, fig. 6), now 
distributed over the entire continent, is well ascertained to have been 
introduced from Asia by the ancient Greeks. Its plumage is of the most 
beautiful glossy chestnut color, with black crescent-shaped marks. Its 
favorite haunts are thick or tangled woods near streams, where it passes 
the night, but betaking itself to the open fields during the day in search of 
food. It walks and runs much in the same manner as the common fowl, 
which it greatly resembles in its manners. 
The most beautiful of pheasants and one of the most splendid of birds is 
the golden pheasant, P. pictus (pl. 96, fig. 7), which is a native of China. 
Its plumage is almost entirely of golden yellow, barred with red and black. 
It is called in China “kinki,” or golden-flower fowl, and is kept extensively 
in domestication. 
The silver pheasant (P. nycthemerus) is another fine species. Its entire 
plumage is beautiful silvery white with black lines, and the head adorned 
with a long crest of glossy purple feathers. 
The fire-backed pheasant (Huplocomus ignitus) and several other species 
of the same genus belong here, as do also the curious and very handsome 
horned pheasants, of which the most common species is the golden- 
breasted, Tragopan hastingsii (pl. 96, fig. 9). They have fine red and 
white plumage, and are peculiar for possessing fleshy protuberances about 
the head resembling horns. They are also Asiatic birds, but are little 
known. 
Sub-fam. 3. Galline, or Fowls. Bill moderate, curved towards the tip: 
wings moderate, rounded; tail lengthened, frequently compressed and 
arched; tarsi and feet robust and rather long. Size smaller than pre- 
ceding ; colors gay. 
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