PHEASANT. In some sections of the Middle States and in the South the ruffed grouse (Tetrad umbellus) is improperly called pheasant,just as it is called partridge in New England and some other sections of the North and West. The true pheasant (Phasianua) is not a native of the United States, but is kept in a semi-domesticated state in parks in England and on the continent of Europe, and occasionally in the United States. An, observer, at the French exposition, writing to the Department of Agriculture, describes inc of the varieties seen, as follows: The pheasant (Pliasianus colon lous) found in thelid state in the Caucasus and near the Caspian •.t, is the most common species in Europe. It • 24 most beautiful bird, and has for a very long time been kept in a semi-domesticated state in the parks, woods, and pleasure grounds of wealthy persons, where it breeds almost as well as domesticated fowls. It roosts at night on elevated trees, and, like our domesticated Guinea fowls, loves to wander about the woods and fields. These birds ought by all means to be introduced into our ornamental parks and pleas ure grounds, being at the same time useful as an article of food, as well as highly ornamental. There are five varieties here, viz: the common, the ring-necked, ash color, white, and parti colored. The ring-necked pheasant is said to be originally from China. The male of the silver pheasant (Phaaianu,a nyethemerua) originally from the north of China, is a most beautiful bird, of a silver white color, with regular, slender, lace like black markings on the feathers of the back, while the under parts are of a black color; the long, drooping tail is also silver white, barred with black. This bird is said to be completely
domesticated in France, where it is bred and reared with perfect ease. The female is by no means as beautiful as the male, being of a dull reddish color, and,of a smaller size. The golden pheasant (Phaalanus, thaumalea, pietas) is one of the most beautiful and bizarre birds, bred in a state of half-domestication, and is much smaller than either of the pheasants before mentioned. The under part of the male is of a red color, the head is ornamented with a splendid golden yellow crest, the neck is hidden or overhung by a some what projecting ruff of feathers of a bright yel low color, striped or barred with black. The wings are of a dull blue, the hind parts of the body are of a golden color, set off with red, and the tail is long and brown, barred with black. The female of this species is also very incon spicuous in color. These birds have bred well in some forests in Europe, and in a state of domestication have produced three varieties, viz: the_ordinary golden and red color, the black, and the Isabella or fawn.