BIRDS. 
265 
THE PHEASANT. (Phasianus colchicus.) 
THE name of this bird implies that he was originally a 
native of the banks of the river Phasis in Armenia ; how 
and when he emigrated, and began to frequent our groves, 
is unknown. He is of the size of the common coek ; the 
bill is of a pale horn colour; the nostrils arched, under an 
arched covering ; the eyes are yellow, and are surrounded 
by a naked warty skin, of a beautiful scarlet, finely spot- 
ted with black ; immediately under each eye there is a 
small patch of short feathers, of a dark glossy purple ; the 
upper parts of the head and neck are of a deep purple, va- 
rying to glossy green and blue ; the lower parts of the neck 
and breast are of a reddish chestnut, with black indented 
edges ; the sides and lower part of the breast are of the same 
colour, with pretty large tips of black to each feather, 
which, in different lights, vary to glossy purple; indeed, 
the whole colour of this half-domesticated fowl is very 
beautiful, uniting the brightness of deep yellow gold to the 
finest tints of ruby and turquoise, with reflections of green ; 
