192 
RING-NECKED PHEASANT. 
they must have been early abundant ; for in the old 
ballad of the Field of Otterbourne, we have 
The roo full rekeles there sche rinnes, 
To make the game and glee ; 
The Fawkon and the Fesaunt both, 
Among the haltes on hee. 
The markings and varying and splendid hues of 
the plumage of the male Pheasant are so well known 
and have been so often celebrated, that any detailed 
description will be unnecessary. Pope's poetical de- 
scription is extensively known : that of another, per- 
haps less frequently quoted, will give some idea of 
his splendid appearance: 
Splendid his form, his eyes of flaming gold 
Two fiery rings ofliving scarlet hold; 
His arching neck a varying beauty shows. 
Now rich with azure, now with emerald glows ; 
His swelling breast with glossy purple shines, 
Chestnut his hack, and waved with ebon lines, 
To his broad wings gay hues their radiance lend, 
His mail-clad leg3 two knightly spurs defend. 
In this country we have, however, Pheasants which 
exhibit a marked difference in the want or presence 
of the pure and conspicuous white ring which en- 
circles the neck. These, by sportsmen, and many 
ornithologists, have been considered as varieties on- 
ly; while Temminck, who compared native spe- 
cimens of each, thinks them completely distinct. 
Out of India they breed freely together, and it is im- 
