Genus PHASIANUS, Linn.
Gen. Chae. B ill of mean length, strong; upper mandible convex, naked at the base, and with
the tip bent downwards. Nostrils basal, lateral, covered with a cartilaginous scale; cheeks
and region of the eyes destitute of feathers, and covered with a verrucose red skin. Wings
short, the first quills equally narrowed towards their tips, the fourth and fifth the longest.
Tail long, regularly wedge-shaped, and cbmposed of eighteen feathers. Feet having the
three anterior toes united by a membrane as far as the first joint, and the hind toe articulated
upon the tarsus, which in the male birds is furnished with a horny, cone-shaped,
sharp spur.
COMMON PHE A S ANT .
Phasianus Colchicus, Linn.
Le Faisan vulgaire.
T h is bird has been so long naturalized that it may now be said to claim a place in the European Fauna ; it
would, however, appear that Europe is not its aboriginal habitat, and that there .is every reason to believe that
it was introduced at a very early period from the western confines of Asia ; and history assigns to Jason the
honour o f having brought it from the hanks o f the Phasis on his celebrated expedition ; and from whence the
various modifications o f the word are derived, viz. Phasianus in Latin, Pheasant in our own language
Faisan in French, Faisiano in Italian, &c. The ancient Colchis is the Mingrelia o f the present day, and here
it is said to be still found wild and unequalled in beauty.
All the details connected with the habits and manners o f this species are so well known to every one that
we need do little more than refer our readers to the minute and accurate descriptions published by Montagu
and Mr. Selby, o f the changes o f plumage, diseases to which it is subjected, &c.
The nest is very inartificial, and is placed on the ground in long grass or thick underwood, and not unfre-
quently in fields o f clover : the eggs are o f a clear dull green, and from ten to fourteen in number. The
young, which are hatched during the months o f June and July, continue with the females until they begin to
moult and assume the adult plumage, which commences about the beginning o f September, and is completed
by the middle o f October.
The food o f the adults consists o f grain and seeds in winter, o f roots and insects in spring and summer-
but the young are fed exclusively upon the latter. “ I have observed," says Mr. Selby, V that the root o f thé
Bulbous Crowfoot ( Ranunculus iullosm), a common bnt acrid meadow plant, is particularly sought after by
this bird, and forms a great portion o f its food during the months o f May and June. The root o f the garden
tulip 18 also an article o f diet, which it omits no opportunity o f obtaining, and which by means o f its bill and
feet, it is almost certain to reach, however deep it may be buried.”
The male has the cheeks naked and o f the brightest scarlet, minutely speckled with black ; the crown o f
the head bronzed green ; on each side o f the occiput a tuft o f dark golden green feathers, capable o f being
erected at pleasure, and very couspicuous in the pairing-season ; upper part o f the neck dark green, glossed
with purple and violet blue ; lower part o f the neck, breast, and flanks deep reddish orange, showing’ in some
positions beautiful reflections o f light purple; each feather bordered and terminated with pansy purple-
centre o f the belly and thighs blackish brown; centre of the back and scapular feathers black or brownish
black, surrounded with a yellowish white band and bordered with deep reddish orange ; lower part o f the
back and upper tail-coverts green, intermingled with brownish orange and purplish red; tail-feathers brown
crossed by bands o f black, and fringed with reddish brown ; hill pale yellow ; irides pale brownish orange |
legs and toes greyish black.
The female has the cheeks covered with small closely set feathers, and the whole o f the plumage yellowish
brown, mingled with different shades o f grey, brown, and black.
We have figured an adult male and female one third less than the natural size.