S u p i ■-■¿g l
• ■ • . ; . . M.&.'N.Kaiihart imp.
AN D EK-S O N J ||i
EUPLO«MUi f /ANDERSONI , H
ANDERSON’S PHEASANT.
EUPLOCAMUS ANDERSONI, Elliot, Proc. ZoqI. Soc. (1 8 7 l||f. 137.
H a b . Burmah.
T h is apparently new species of Silver Pheasant was obtained in Upper Burmah ¿by Dr. Anderson, the Curator o f the Indian
Museum of Calcutta. It is intermediate between E . Uneatus and E . nyctliemerus, and comes from a locality where it would naturally
he supposed likely that a new species would be met with. The present bird differs from the E . Uneatus in the markings of the
upper parts, which are longitudinal, the feathers being entirely free from transverse markings or mottling; and it may also be
distinguished from E . nyctliemerus by the closely striated middle tail-feathers, the differently marked outer tail-feathers, the pale
colour of the legs and feet, and the comparatively small size. There are but very few white central streaks to be seen upon
the flank-feathers as in E . Uneatus y but this is not of specific importance, as that character varies considerably among individuals.
The present bird cannot bé looked upon as a hybrid between the species with which I have compared it, as their habitats are far
apart, and there is no way by whichu.they could have access to each other. My original description was taken from a native
drawing of the type, which was then living in captivity Calcutta. Since that was published, Dr. Anderson caused it to be killed
when the bird was in perfect plumage, and kindly forwarded the skin to London for my inspection. The specimen proved how
correct was the native drâwing, and also that I was right in considering it to belong to an undeserved species. Although not
so large as the Silver Pheasant (E . nyctliemerus), it is almost as fine as that splendid species, and presents a style of marking
nearly the opposite of its ally. Thus E . nyctliemerus may be described as white on, the upper parts and tail, with black Sun es 5
E . Andersoni is black on those parts, with white lines. / The legs and feet o f ,th e present bird are flesh-colour, not brilliant red
as are those of its relative;"
The species may be described as follows ¿ ^U p p e r parts black, each feather having three or more white irregular lines running
parallel to, and meeting towards, the edge. Secondaries black, with broken irregular white lines, running lengthwise with the
feather. Feathers of the rump like the back, but fringed with white, wjfi§b overlaps the feather beneath and gives this part a
beautiful silvery appearance. Top of head, lengthened crest, and entire underparts very deep rich blue. Tail moderately long ;
middle feathers white, tlnckly covered with rather broad irregular black lines, these most numerous on the outer web and towards
the base, becoming less on inner web, apd disappearing entirely a t the tip and on the edge of inner web. Rest o f tail-feathers
black, with fine broken lines of white, these disappearing. towards the tips. Primaries dark brown, irregularly marked with white
lines. Bare skin o f face crimson. Mll horn-çôloiir a t tip, black a t base. Tarsi and feet flesh-colour. The figure is o f the size
of lifeiP; fflj