The LADY AMHERST'S PHEASANT (_Thaumalea Amherstiæ_) is a very beautiful
bird, having a black and red plume upon its head. The feathers that form
the collar are of a silvery hue, with dark edges; the plumage of the neck,
upper back, and upper wing-covers is light golden green, bordered with a
deeper tint; and that of the lower back shaded golden yellow. The feathers
of the upper tail-covers are pale red, spotted and lined with black, those
on the under side pure white; the quills are brownish grey, edged with a
lighter tint on the outer web; the centre tail-feathers are whitish grey,
striped with black and edged with yellow, the rest are brownish grey;
the lancet-shaped feathers at the sides of the upper tail-covers are
coral-red, the bare patches on the cheeks blue, and the eye golden yellow;
the beak is pale, and the foot dark yellow.
[Illustration: THE ARGUS PHEASANT, OR KUAU (_Argus giganteus_).]
This species was first described by Mr. B. Leadbeater, in a paper read
before the Linnæan Society, December 2nd, 1828, and received from him its
name in honour of the Countess of Amherst, to whom two males of the
species had been presented by Sir Archibald Campbell, who received them
from the King of Ava. They came originally from the mountains of Cochin
China, and only survived the voyage to England a few weeks.
"It is now believed," says Mr. Gould, "that the bird is an inhabitant of
the Chinese province of Yunnan and the adjoining region of Thibet." We
have no account of its mode of life or habits.
* * * * *
The EARED PHEASANTS (_Crossoptilon_), are so called on account of the
remarkable tufts of feathers, resembling those of some Owls, situated at
the sides of the head. They are also distinguishable from the members
of the family already described by their very powerful build and
comparatively short tail, the feathers at the extremity of which are
discomposed, and overhang the rest.