ARGU®' BIPUKUTATÜS.
M A N Y- S P O T T E D . A R G | I | P H E A S A N T ,
ARGUS BIPUNCTATUS, Wood, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist (18715 vol. viii. p. 67.
Hab. --------'?
T his species was founded upon a portion o f a feather procured from Mr. A. D. Bartlett, the Superintendent o f the Zoological
Gardens, Regent’s Park, by Mr. T. W. Wood, who described 'it in a late number of the ‘Annals,’ as quoted above. The
feather in question was the possession o f an uncle o f Mr. Bartlett for a I p - y long time; but it was only quite recently
that attention was directed to it. Evidently belonging to a much smaller species of Argus Pheasant than any a t present
known, it is peculiar not only in its coloration but ^lsp* in the form of the shaft, which on the upperside narrows to a
fine line. Mr. Wood’s description is % f o l l o w s A n elongated space of chocolate-colour dotted with white ornaments the
narrow as well as the broad web df the feather. The fopth^ke markings on the narrow web, ¿ípse to the shaft* are very
boldly defined, the light spaces being of a pale ochre-yellow colour; these markings are separated from the chocolate patch
on this web by a narrow strip of pale yellowish brdwn. The dark spots outside o f the chocolate spaces are similar on both
webs; and there is no plain space bordering the inner web, tlie ground-colour o f which; is darker and more reddish than in
the known species. Besides the above-mentioned differences, this feather is much smaller than the corresponding ones of
giganteas, having the shaft much more slender and of a blackish colour, instead o f the beautiful blue o f that species. The
shaft has the remarkable peculiarity o f being extremely narrow on its upperside, so that a section of it would appear
almost triangular. The length of the specimen is nine inches; but it has been injured, a portion having been broken off
both e n d s ; if perfect, it would probably measure twelve inches.” The feather is apparently a primary; but which, it is
impossible to state with any degree of certainty. Nothing is known as to the locality from which it came.