'rite female pheasant, in old age, or when from any cause incapable of the fun•tionv of reproduction, sometimes assumes the plumage of the male. The pheasant exhibits a remarkable readiness to hybridize with other gallinaceous birds. A hybrid between it and the common fowl is not unfrequent, and is called a Pero. Hybrids between the pheasant and black grouse have also occurred; and hybrids are supposed to have been produced between the pheasant and guinea-fowl, and the pheasant and turkey. None of these hybrids, however, have ever been known to be fertile, except with one of the original species. On the contrary, the offspring of the common pheasant and the InNo NECKED PHEASANT (P. torquatus) is perfectly fertile, a circumstance which Is urged in argument. by those who regard them as mere varieties of one species.. The ring-necked pheasant is now almost as plentiful in Britain its the common pheasant. it is a native of the forests of India and China, and is said not to breed with the common pheasant in a truly wide state, but in Britain they readily intermix. It is distinguished by a white ring almost surrounding the neck, and is of smaller size than the common pheasant, somewhat different in markings, and has a shorter tail.—The BOHEMIAN PHEASANT is another variety of a silvery-gray color.—White pheasants dre of not very unrrequent oceu•renee.—Of other species of pheasant may be mentioned DIARD'S PHEASANT (P. rend- co/or), a native of Java, in1 prevailing color is green; and BEEvEs's PHEASANT (P. Becresii), a native of the n. of China, in which white is the prevailing color, and the
tail is of extraordinary length, so that a bird not larger than the common pheasant meas ures 8 ft. in entire length. Of somewhat different type, and more nearly approaching to the common fowl, are the GOLDEN (P. plans, or thaumalie pICta) tind the 8ir. VER PHEASANT (P. or gallophasis syctlemervs), both natives of China, and both hardy birds, the introduction of which into British preserves has been attempted with good prospect of success. Both have long been kept in a state of domestication by the Chinese. The golden pheasant is one of the most splendid of the tribe. It has a tine crest, and a ruff of orange and black, capable of being erected at pleasure. The tail is very long. The crest and ruff are held in great estimation by anglers for making arti ficial flies.—LADY AMHERST'S PHEASANT (P. or thatimalla Amberdia•) is a native of China, resembling the golden pheasant, and with an extremely long tail.—The silver pheasant is one of the largest and most powerful of the tribe, and very combative, driving the common pheasant from preserves into which it is introduced. The prevailing color of the upper parts and tail of the mail is white, finely penciled with black, the breast and belly pur plish-black.—The name pheasant is sometimes extended to gallinaceous birds of allied genera.