PHEASANT. 



PHASIANUS COLCHICUS, Linn. 



Phasianus colchicus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 271 ; Naum. vi. 

 p. 433; Macg. i. p. 114; Hewitson, i. p. 276; Yarr. 

 ed. 4, iii. p. 91 ; Dresser, vii. p. 85. 



Fasan, French; Edelfasan, German. 



A naturalized species, having been introduced most 

 likely by the Romans, and certainly known in England 

 before the Norman Conquest. In its pure form, as 

 represented on the Plate, unmixed with any other race, 

 it remained until the close of the last century, since 

 which time it has become so completely blended with 

 the Chinese Pheasant (P. torquatus) then introduced, 

 that, except in a few places, pure-bred birds are now 

 hardly ever seen. 



P. colchicus has also crossed freely with the Japanese 

 P. versicolor, and even with the very distinct P. reevesi 

 of China, and with other recently introduced species. 



The true home of the Pheasant appears to have been 

 the eastern shore of the Black Sea, whence, since 

 classical times, it has spread westwards. [0. S.] 



