COMMON PHEASANT. 
113 
have bred together, and we have specimens with the 
mark modified or almost obliterated. By Temminck 
they are considered to have been originally distinct 
species, and several prominent differences are pointed 
out, which, in all our naturalised birds, are blended 
together. We have not been able to compare a 
sufficient number of wild specimens ; but, in one 
from continental India, without the white mark on 
the neck, there are sufficient distinctions of plumage 
in addition, to warrant its separation. In our pre- 
serves, which, in most instances, are only a kind of 
semi-domestication, they are much inclined to be- 
come spotted or pied with white, and often show 
very beautifully contrasted markings. The female 
seems to assume an entirely pure white plumage 
more frequently than the male ; in some localities, a 
silvery grey variety has become abundant, known 
under the name of Bohemian Pheasants ; it is sin- 
gular also, that in a number of eggs, received some 
years since from an extensive preserve, where the 
variety was prevalent, we could separate those which 
would produce the grey birds, the shells being dif- 
ferent in their shade of colouring. There is also a 
tendency of the pheasant to breed with other gal- 
linaceous birds ; crosses with the domestic fowl are 
frequent, and some instances are given where there 
had been intercourse with the black grouse, and even 
with a turkey. 
II 
