EUPLOC VLUS NYC THE ME PyU S .
Kl'PLOOAMUS NYOT HEM ERL'S.
SILVEE PHEASANT.
THE BLACK-AND-WHITE CHINESE PHEASANT, Aibin, Hist. B. vol. 35 (173$),-s-Edw. Nat. Rist. vol. ii. (1751) pi. 60.
PHASIANUS NYCTHEMERUS, Lmn. Syst. Nat. (1766,) vpl. i. p. ¿72.—Gmel. ed. Linn. tom. i. p. 743 (1788).—Lath. Ind. Ornith. (1790)
vol. ii. p. 631.—fBuff. Plan. Enlum. 123, 124.—Temm. Hist; Nat. des Pig.; ,et .^Gallr t; iL p. 281 (1813), and t. iii. p. 665, pi. 2.
figs. 6 & 7.—Id. Man. d’Ornith. 2nd edit. t. i. p. 90 (1820—49),.—Jard, Nat. Lib. Gall. Birds, p. 207, pi. 18.—Bonnat. Ency. Method.
Om. pt. ii p. 187, pi? 89. fig. 1, male, fig. 2, female (1823).-rLess. Trait. Ornith. (1831) p. 495.
LE FAISAN NOIR ET BLANC DE LA CHINE, Buff. Hist. Nat. des Ois. (1770^t. ii. p. 359.
PHASIANUS ALBUS SINENSIS, Briss. Ornith. (1770) t. if-p. 276—Id. 8vo, t. i. p. 77.
PENCILLED PHEASANT, Lath. Gen. Syn. vol. iv. p. 719 (1783).—rId.' Gen. Hist. vol. viiD'p. 199 (1821).
EUPLOCAMUS NYCTHEMERUS, J. E. Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. vol. ii, gt, R.‘ -Gray, List B. Brit. Mus. (1844) p. 25.
—Sclat. Proc. Zool; Soc. (1863) p. 120.^-G. R. Gray, List Gall. (1 8 6 7 )^ 33.‘—Swinh. Proc. Zool."Soc,_ (1863) p. 307.
GENNALp^ NYCTHEMERUS, Wagl. Isis, (1832) p. 1228.—Gould, B. of Asia, pt. xi.—Jerd. B. of India, vol. iii. p. 531 (1862).—Bon.
Compt. Rend; (1856) p. 878.
PHASIANUS LINEATUS, Jard. & Selby, 111. Orn. n. s. pi. 12 (1836, date on plate).
GALLOPHASIS NYCTHEMERUS, Gray & Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. iii. p. 498 (1845).
GRAMMATOPTILOS, Reichenb. Syst Av. (1853) p. xxx.
SPICIFER, Kaup, Thierreich, p. (1836).
Hab. China: Provinces of Fokein, Canton, Kwangse, and Kweichou ( S w in h o e ) .
T h is beautiful species, among the best-known o f the members of this family, is a native of China; and, according to Swinhoe,; it has been
shot in the vicinity of Amoy, and inhabits the wooded hills o f the interior of Southern China. Among the earliest known of the
Phasiauidas, it was first described by Linnaeus, and to this day retains the name given to it by the great Swede.
Pugnacious in disposition, it unfortunately cannot be permitted to roam a t large among other species of Pheasants; for its great size,/
strength^ and the powerful spurs with which the male is armed render it too formidable an antagonist for other species to remain in its
vicinity without danger of‘being soon placed hors de combat.
The graceful proud carriage of the Silver Pheasant, and the agreeable colours of its plumage, which contrast so beautifully, render'it a
most pleasing object in the landscape; and, although it may not become an inhabitant o f parks and preserves, where other Pheasants
dwell, still it will always be considered desirable for large aviaries, where it is easily domesticated, and in confinement breeds readily.
Between the sexes a great difference in plumage exists; for while the male, with his white back and long flowing tail covered with
delicate pencillings o f bluish black, with his'longjcrest, breast, and under parts of a deep rich blue, set off by the vivid scarlet of the bare
skin of the face, is a most conspicuous bird, the female in her sombre suit of brown would easily pass unnoticed. But this, as in many
other apparently strange facts in nature, is indeed but a very wise provision; for were the females as gaily adorned as their lords, during
the season of incubation they would be unable to conceal themselves or approach the nest without their numerous enemies being
enabled to discover its position; and thus many a brood would never see the light, as the eggs would serve for a dainty meal to some
hungry prowler of the woods or robber of the air.
The red skin o f the face and the wattles become very much enlarged in the spring, and are o f a rich crimson colour. Indeed, in some
instances, I have seen this skin extend so much above the head as to appear like a comb;; and at a little distance the head seemed to be
/all aflame. This skin is not smooth, hut thickly covered with small papillte.
Mr. Swinhoe has kindly sent me the following remarks upon this species:— This bird is known to the Chinese as the Pih Heen, and it
is one of those which are embroidered upon the heart- and back-badges of the official dresses of the civil mandarins, to denote the rank of
the wearer. .. So far as I have ascertained, it is found in the wooded mountains of the following Provinces:—Fokein, Canton, Kwangse,
and Kweichou. It is brought to Canton city from the Province of Kwangse by the west river, and offered alive in the shops for sale. AH
the birds I have seen so offered had been captured ; I do not think the Chinese had the bird in confinement. A friend of mine shot one
in some woods in the mountains, about 100 miles from Amoy (Province Fokein); but I have never met with the species in my rambles.”'
Male.— Crown of the head, crest, and/¡entire under parts black, glossed with a prefaMui;: the rest of the plumage white, each feather
having lines of black parallel with the edge of the feathers meeting in points within each o th e r; these black lines conspicuous on the wings
and tail,' biil very faint 011 the back.. Two central feathers of the tail pure white. Naked skin of the face scarlet. Bill light green.
Feet and legs red.
Female.—Entire plumage brown, mottled with darker brown; lateral tail-feathers lighter on the outer webs. Face less red than the
male, legs also.