The Common Pheasant. 201 
with purple and brown; the breast-feathers are tipped 
with glossy purple, which becomes more blue on the 
larger feathers of the lower sides; the tail is long, and 
each feather is barred with a darker brown than the 
feaunetsjocai. Weneth, three feet. The feriale is light 
brown, most of the feathers have dusky centres, the 
tail much shorter, and the red round the eye 1s scarcely 
seen. Eggs olive-brown. 
The Pheasant is said to have derived its name from 
the river Phasis, and was originally brought from 
Colchis, a country on the borders of the Black Sea. 
There are great varieties of Pheasants, some possessing 
extraordinary brilliancy of colour. Many of those 
brought from China are kept here in aviaries. Our 
common Pheasant frequents the thickest of our woods, 
and where furze, rushes, and briars abound they hide 
and feed. The daily life of this bird is passed upon 
the ground; it even roosts in the summer months 
among the rough grass, fern, or other kind of herbage 
that affords concealment and shelter. The male of 
this bird, during the month of March, will fight furi- 
ously should another male come across its path. Last 
