Reptiles and birds - a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting (1883) (14565707100)

Identifier: reptilesbirds00figu (find matches)
Title: Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting
Year: 1883 (1880s)
Authors: Figuier, Louis, 1819-1894 Gillmore, Parker
Subjects: Reptiles Birds
Publisher: London : Cassell & Co.



Text Appearing Before Image:
es areadorned with brilliant plumage; the hens possessing a more unattrac-tive attire. The sides of the face and round the eyes are bare and tuber-culous. The stronger sex are provided with spurs (Plate XVIIi.). There are many species of Pheasant, but there is no obvious dif-ference in their habits; we shall therefore content ourselves withgiving an account of the Common Pheasant (Fkasianus Colchicus,Fig. 154), of which there are many varieties spread through Europe. The introduction of the Pheasant into Europe dates as far backas the expedition of the Argonauts, about 1300 B.C. The com-panions of Jason met with this bird on the banks of the Phasis, in 398 REPTILES AND BIRDS. Colchis, whence its name is derived. Struck with its beauty, theycarried it back with them into Greece, whence it gradually spreadover a large portion of the European continent. The Greeks,believing it to be indigenous to the banks of the Caucasian river,called it the Bird of Phasis; subsequently, however, it was
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 154.—Common Pheasants. ascertained that it also inhabited the whole of the south of Asia—China, Cochin-China, Bengal, &:c. At the present day this bird is found in France, Great Britain,Holland, Germany, and even Sweden. Pheasants prefer wooded slopes or marshy plains. Their foodis of a varied character, and is composed of grain, berries, worms,insects, and snails. They are shy and timid in their nature, takingflight at the slightest indication of danger. They live alone up to