424 



RING TAIL. 



devour acorns and beech-nuts greedily, swallowing- them whole. In de- 

 fect of these and grain, it eats turnip-greens and young- clover, or green 

 corn and ivy-berries. We have been at considerable pains to endeavour 

 to domesticate this bird ; and though we have tamed them within 

 doors, so as to be exceedingly troublesome, yet we never could pro- 

 duce a breed, either by themselves or with the tame pig-eon. Two 

 were bred up together with a male pigeon, and were so tame as to eat 

 out of the hand ; but as they showed no signs of prolificacy in the spring, 

 they w r ere suffered to take their liberty in the month of June, by opening 

 the window of the room in which they were confined, thinking the 

 pigeon might induce them to return to their usual place of abode, 

 either for food or to roost ; but they instantly took to their natural 

 habits, and we saw no more of them, although the pigeon continued to 

 return. We shall here mention a curious assemblage we once bred up, 

 and which lived together in perfect amity — a common pigeon, ring dove, 

 white owl, and sparrow hawk, of which the ring dove was master. 



RING OUZEL.— A name for the Ring Blackbird. 



RING PHEASANT (Phasianus torquatus, Linnaeus.) 



Phasianus toiquatus, Gmel. Syst. 2. p. 742. — Phasianus colohicus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 



p. 629. 4. B.-Ring Pheasant, Lath. Syn. 4. p. 715 lb. Supp. p. 208.— Ost. 



Menag. p. 57. 58. (M. F.) 



This seems to be a mere variety of the common species, differing 

 only in having a white ring round the neck ; the plumage in general is 

 thought to be more brilliant, and the markings more distinct. *Tem- 

 minck says the one found in European preserves is a hybrid, between 

 the common pheasant and the genuine Ring Pheasant (Ph. torquatus, 

 Temm.) of China.* 



It is said to have been first introdued by the late Duke of Northum- 

 berland, and was called the Barbary Pheasant. His Grace bred and 

 turned out many at his seat at Alnwick, in Northumberland. Lord 

 Caernarvon also turned out several at his seat at Highclere, in Berk- 

 shire ; at both which places we have seen them, and the mixed produce 

 between that and the common pheasant, in which the ring on the neck 

 is very indistinct ; sometimes only a few white feathers are to be found. 

 It is supposed to be hardier and more easily reared in confinement than 

 the other. *It is spreading faster than the other variety, particularly 

 in the north.* It is said to be found in some parts of China, and in 

 Tartary. The eggs no way differ from the common sort, which are 

 of a light-brown colour. 



RING PIGEON.— A name for the Ring Dove. 



RING TAIL. — A name for the Hen-Harrier. 



