C R O S S O P T I L O N M A N T C H U R I C T TM .
" Cet oiseau, connu de Pallas, signalé par les Missionaires avant même que ce grand naturaliste eût visité la Sibérie, a été retrouvé par nous
en 1862, et tué dans les montagnes boisées/ au delà de San-Yù, où il est devenu fort rare. Ce gallinacé est pbis: herbivore que granivore, et
affectionne les racines succulentes ; son caractère doux et paisible semble devoir en faire un. o is^u-de basse-cour, et je ne doute pas que les
quelques couples qui. ont été envoyés en France ne deviennent la souche dhin nouveau et bel oiseau domestique.” ;
This species has bred in the Gardens at Regent’s Park, London; and Mr. Bartlett, the Superintendent, says that “ o f the Crossoptilon
or Eared Pheasant of Pallas we have reared nine fine birds, the second hatch, having lost by the gapes the first brood o f seven.
With reference to this species I may remark that these birds breed when only one year old. At the first, moulfclthe young birds
assume the adult plumage, the male and female being exactly alike. They are remarkably hardy, and extremely tame.”
Upper part of head black ; bare skin of face crimson ; a band o f lengthened whiteTeathers extend upwards and backwards on the
sides o f the neck beneath the bare skin. Upper part of back and breast purplish black. Wings brown. Rump and upper tail-coverts
greyish white. Flanks and under tail-coverts leaden grey. Tail-feathers greyish white at the base, purplish blue a t the ends. Webs of
middle feathers loose and much split. Bill light horn-colour. Legs and feet red.
There is no difference in the plumage of the sexes.