314 
POPULAR HISTOHY OF BIRDS. 
to this country; and we yet hope to see that curious Tibetan 
bird, the Crossoptilon auritum (Plate XVI. fig. 1), an inha- 
bitant of our aviaries. It was obtained by Mr. Hodgson 
in Tibet, where, like most Gallmacem^ it cannot be rare. 
It is difficult to see of what me the exuberance of plumage 
can be to most of these birds, or the metallic lustre and 
bright colours with which their feathers are adorned. They 
may sometimes, by extending their feathers, alarm their ene- 
mies, as the peacock has been said to frighten even the 
leopard with its tail ; but, generally speaking, their gorgeous 
clothing seems to have been chiefly intended for ornament, 
and to make them agreeable to their mates, as well as to 
gratify mankind. 
Pope, in his ^"Windsor Porest^ (lines 111-118), has well 
described the brilliant plumage of the Pheasant, as well as 
the character of its flight : — 
" Glossy varying dyes, 
His purple crest aud scarlet-circled eyes ; 
The vivid green his shining plumes unfold, 
His painted wings, and breast that flames with gold. 
See ! from the brake the whirring pheasant springs, 
And mounts exulting on triumphant wings." 
Our common Pheasant crows at all seasons when retiring 
