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VOLUME XXIX.— No. 2. 
NEW YORK, FEBRUARY, 1870. 
NEW SERIES— No. 277. 
(COPYRIGHT SUCUKKD.j 
GROUP OF ORNAMENTAL PHEASANTS .— Fbom Life, By Edw 
We have often wondered that this strikingly 
beautiful class or poultry is not more frequent- 
ly bred by our amateur poultry fanciers. The 
pheasants breed readily in confinement, and are 
reported quite hardy. The common pheasant 
ot Europe is said to have been originally (hund- 
reds of years ago) brought from Asia. It is a 
very beautiful bird, though not so brilliant, 
from contrasts of color, as the golden and sil- 
ver species which come from China. The 
Common Pheasant is known in several varia- 
tions, one of which, the Ring-necked Pheasant, 
is seen with his mate at the right of the engrav- 
ing. The cook is a pugnacious fellow, armed 
with sharp spurs, and weighs about 3'|., pounds. 
His plumage glows with all the colors of the 
rainbow. Above this pair is a pair of Albinos 
of the same species. The Silver Pheasant, seen 
in the foreground, with his hen, of more sober 
colors, behind him, is gay in bis variagated 
plumage of black and white. This bird is a good 
deal larger than the common one ; the markings 
arc well shown iu the engraving, and the head of 
the cock is adorned by remarkable crimson, 
velvety camncitlations. Tin- Golden Pheasant, 
seen above the last, is much smaller than the 
127 FoivBES. — Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
others. The general color of the plumage of 
the cock is crimson ; the crest, which is creel ile, 
is golden yellow, contrasting with the orange. 
colored cape, barred with black. Other colors in 
the plumage are chestnut brown, black, blue, and 
green, with glossy iridescences. Pheasants do 
not sit well in confinement, but drop their eggs 
about, which are usually set under bantams or 
Silky fowls. The young are delicate, and require 
careful attention and a variety of food. No 
doubt some of the varieties of pheasants might 
be introduced, and if set at liberty in retired 
spots, below latitude -11°, become acclimated. 
