BRITISH BIRDS. 
284 
The Ring Pheafant is a fine variety of this 
breed ; its only difference confifis in a white ring, 
which encircles the lower part of the neck ; the 
colours of the plumage in general are likewife more 
diftind and vivid. A fine fpecimen of this bird 
was fent us by the Rev. ffm Turner, of Newcas- 
tle, from which our figure was engraven. They 
are Sometimes met with in the neighbourhood of 
Alnwick, whither they were brought by his Grace 
the Duke of Northumberland. That they inter- 
mix with the common breed is very obvious, as in 
thofe we have feen the ring has been more or lefs 
diftind ; in Some hardly vifible, and in others a few 
feathers only, marked with white, appear on each 
fide of the neck, forming a white fpot. It is much 
to be regretted that this beautiful breed is likely 
foon to be deftroyed by thofe who purfue every 
Species of game with an avaricious and indifcrimi- 
nating rapacity. 
There are great varieties of Pheafants, of extra- 
ordinary beauty and brilliancy of colours ; many 
of thefe, brought from the rich provinces of China, 
are kept in aviaries in this kingdom ; the Common 
Pheafant is likewife a native of the eaft, and is the 
only one of its kind that has multiplied in our 
ifland. Pheafants are generally found in low 
woody places* on the borders of plains, where they 
delight to fport ; during the night they perch on 
the branches of trees : They are very fliy birds, and 
do not affociate together, except during the months 
