4'
V a r . A.
RING PHEASANT.
---- IX.
IMPEYAN PH.
Pl. CXIV.
D e s c r i p t i o n .
T H A V E fcarce a doubt but thefe birds will hereafter become
full as plentiful in this kingdom as the Common Pbeajant. It
is well known that feveral noblemen and gentlemen have turned
out many pairs into their neighbouring woods, for the purpofe of
breeding. I have heard of feveral being met with at large by the
fportfmen in various parts of Kent-, two inftances of this having
laft year come under my own infpedtion.
Lev. Muf.
| A R G E R than a Dunghill Fowl: length two feet. Bill
brown, two inches long, much curved, the upper mandible
hanging conGderably over the under, which is hid thereby : round
the eye bare, and of a greenilh blue: on the head is an eredt creft,
confiftirig o f feventeen or eighteen feathers of different fizes, the
longeft three inches and a half in lengths they confift of little
more than (hafts, except at the end, where they are oval, with a
fpear-lhaped point: the feathers of the neck are long and loofe,
not unlike thofe of a Cock; thofe of the head and throat are
green bronze ; o f the middle o f the neck purple, with a copper
glofs, and the lower part of it a yellow copper bronze; all of them
exceedingly brilliant, and changeable in different reflexions of
lig h t : the back and wing coverts are rich purple, tipped with
green bronze : prime quills black : the under parts o f the body,
from chin to vent, are dull black, with here and there a greenifli
g lo fs : thighs the fame: the legs feathered below the knees: tail
brownilh cinnamon-colour, with the end du(ky, and rounded in
lhape ; the feathers fourteen in number : legs flout, rough, and
fcaly;
mm
vm
88
mmb
s. 3
p
Hh
p a
aI
P1.CX 1V.