In this brief notice of what is really one of the finest pheasant collections in the world, it is not possible to do more than direct the visitors’ attention to its chief items of interest. It must be stated well in advance, however, that these are birds of very shy and retiring habit, which owe their existence as species to the success with which they retreat from danger, and conceal themselves from man and beast. These birds must not be forced to spend all the daylight hours in their runways; for some of them could not long survive such exposure and excitement. To preserve their lives, and keep them in health, they must have the privilege of retiring into their shelters whenever they desire. But they roam in and out, and by the exercise of a little effort in returning to them, the interested visitor will find no great difficulty in seeing all the species.
There are few species of pheasants whose members are sufficiently peace-loving that many individuals can be kept together without deadly combats. Of most species save the golden, silver and ring-neck, the cocks are so quarrelsome that even two can not be kept together; and this fact constitutes a handicap upon those whose duty it is to maintain the full strength of the exhibition. If a rare and quarrelsome male pheasant dies unexpectedly, it is not always possible to fill the vacancy on short notice.
Out of the half-dozen species which claim first place in an enumeration based on beauty and luxuriance of plumage—the Amherst, Reeve, golden, silver, impeyan, Argus or Soemmerring—it is difficult to choose. Each has its share of strong points, and it seems as if there is no “finest of all.” Let us take them as they come to mind, for by reason of the changes so often necessary in the runways, it is inexpedient to attempt an end-to-end enumeration.
MANCHURIAN EARED PHEASANT.
The Golden Pheasant, (Chrysolophus pictus), is a universal favorite; and it well deserves its wide popularity. Although small, it is as beautiful as the most entrancing sunset ever seen. It is very alert and chic, it is so good tempered that we can have the rare pleasure of seeing a whole flock in one runway, and it is a good breeder. To crown all these fine qualities, it is so hardy, and so competent a “rustler” in seeking food that under fair conditions it is easily transplanted from its native home in western and southern China. It has been introduced and acclimatized with gratifying success in Oregon, Washington, southern British Columbia near the Pacific coast, and elsewhere. In the shooting season, the shops of the taxidermists of Vancouver and Portland are filled with these gorgeous creatures, which appreciative sportsmen have found “too beautiful to eat.” One might as well try to describe a sunset as to pen a mental picture of the wonderful combination of golden yellow, orange, lapis-lazuli blue and deep crimson that appear in the plumage of this gorgeous bird.
The Amherst Pheasant, (Chrysolophus amherstiae), is the nearest relative to the golden species, and also a strong candidate for first honors on the score of beauty. As far as you can see the cock bird, you can recognize it by its marvellous cape of pure white feathers marked with semicircles of black and steel-blue, which reaches from its eyes far back upon the shoulders. It is also easily recognized by its enormously long tail, the middle feathers of which are conspicuously marked by a regular series of diagonal bars of black laid on a light ground color. This bird is of small size, and fortunately for the public, it breeds in confinement with sufficient readiness that a good supply for exhibition purposes is thereby maintained.
INDIAN PEACOCK.
The Silver Pheasant, (Gennaeas nycthemerus), of China, is Nature’s “running mate” for the golden pheasant, not only in the rocky hill forests of southern China, but in acclimatization, in captivity, and everywhere else. Wherever you see a golden pheasant, look for the Silver also, with its showy, snow-white tail, and white mantle of feathers which covers the whole upper two-thirds of the bird from its ears to its tail. Its dark-colored under surface serves well to accentuate the whiteness of its other parts. It is a larger bird than the golden and Amherst pheasants, but it is so good tempered that every summer two or three cock birds are kept in the great Flying Cage along with many small and defenseless birds which might easily be molested. In parks which are not visited by great numbers of people, both this species and the golden are easily domesticated, and permitted to roam at will.