' between the Black Grouse and Common Pheasant. 451 
publication, (" History of the Rarer Species of British Birds/') 
Mr Eyton informs us, that the brood to which this bird belonged 
consisted of live individuals, all of which were killed, though two 
only are preserved. In the same work, (p. 101,) the fourth, and 
last I know to be on record, is mentioned as having been obtained 
near Corwen, in Wales, and is in the possession of Sir Rowland 
Hill, Bart. 
There is not any notice of similar hybrids in the continental works 
which I have had an opportunity of consulting, and as Temminck 
is silent on the subject in his comprehensive publications, Histoire 
Naturelle Generale des Pigeons et des Gallinaces, and Manuel 
d'Ornithologie de 1'Europe, such birds have most probably never 
been met with on the continent of Europe. 
Mr White's description, with the exception of the " legs" being 
" bare of feathers" applies admirably to the present specimen. He 
observes, " The shape, air, and habit of the bird, and the scarlet 
ring round the eyes, agreed well with the appearance of a cock 
pheasant, but then the head and neck, and breast, and belly, were 
of a glossy black ; and though it weighed 31b. S^oz., the weight of 
a large full-grown cock pheasant,* yet there were no signs of any 
spurs on the legs, as is usual with all grown cock pheasants, who 
have long ones. * * In the tail were no long bending feathers, 
such as cock pheasants usually have, and are characteristic of the 
sex. The tail was much shorter than that of a hen pheasant, and 
blunt and square at the end. The back, wing-feathers, and tail 
were all of a pale russet, curiously streaked." With the little that 
is related of Mr Sabine's bird, the present individual agrees, but 
differs much both in colour and dimensions from Mr Eyton's speci- 
men. This latter is a female ; the one under consideration is pre- 
sumed to be a male. In the following table its dimensions are con- 
trasted with those of the cock pheasant and black-cock. 
Slack 
Cock. 
In. Lines. 
Hybrid. 
In. Lines. 
Cock 
Pheasant. 
In. Lines. 
20 fO 
25 3 
34 
9 
19 
Length, (total.) 
of tail, 
wing from carpus to end 
of longest quill, 99 103 99 
bill above to first feathers on 
ridge, . 08 11 10 
* Though the weight of the present specimen cannot now be determined, the 
size of the body, it may be remarked, is equal to that of the cock pheasant. 
To centre of tail. 
