The Persian (Ph. persicus) is a near relation to colchicus, but has very nearly white wing coverts, narrower bars on the tail, and is dark-red on the sides of the belly. It inhabits West Persia and Transcaspia, and Mr. Rothschild thinks it a good variety for introduction, as it is hardy and flies fast and high.
A near relation is the Afghan pheasant (Ph. principalis), or Prince of Wales pheasant. It only differs from the last-named variety in its whiter wings, its maroon patch under the throat, the wide purple bars on the flanks, and in the orange-red upper tail coverts. Mr. Rothschild gives it a good character for importation, and those who have shot it at home speak of it as almost aquatic in habit, and not only able but willing to swim.
The Zorasthan pheasant, or Phasianus zerasthanicus, only differs slightly in marking from the above-named variety—that is to say, it has plain brown scapulars, and much narrower borders to the breast feathers.
The Yarkand pheasant, or Ph. shawi, differs from colchicus in having a yellowish-brown rump and whitish wing coverts. Mr. Rothschild recommends its importation viâ India for our English coverts.
The Siberian pheasant, or Ph. tariminsis, very closely resembles the last-named variety, but differs in the greenish rump and the buff wing coverts.
The Oxus pheasant, or Ph. chrysomelas, comes from Amu-Darya. It is distinguished for its general sandy-brown colour and the very broad green bars on all feathers of the under side of the body.
The Mongolian pheasant has been introduced largely by reason of Mr. Rothschild’s recommendation. It is known from all the others by the rich red of the flanks, the green gloss of the plumage, the very broad white neck ring and white wings. It is a very large bird. There is one point on which it is open to doubt whether this bird has not met more than its meed of praise. It is considerably heavier than the common pheasant, and is said to fly better. But the last statement is a little difficult to accept, for the bird is not like the Reeves pheasant, different in feathers, structure, and proportion of wing to weight. It is merely a very big common pheasant differently coloured and having everything in true proportion. It ought therefore, by reason of its weight, to fly worse than lighter birds. For big birds to fly as fast as small ones they require not only the same proportionate wing power and space, but greater.
Stone’s pheasant, or Ph. elegans, is almost a green bird, like versicolor, except upon the flanks and shoulders. It is not well known.
The pheasant of Tibet, or Ph. vlangalii, is pale sandy on the upper parts, and has golden-buff flanks.
Perjvalsky’s pheasant, or Ph. strauchi, differs from Stone’s pheasant by its orange-red flanks instead of the dark-green and the dark-red scapulars with light buff centres. It is recommended for introduction without much hope of attainment. Its home is Gansu.