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Show 1 16 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON THE BREEDING OF [Feb. 4, Hen number three laid two eggs. These were put under a hen; and one bird was hatched, the other egg being addled. This bird also lived for five weeks, and then died. Hen number two laid a second sitting of two eggs. These she sat upon herself; but both were addled. Hen number one laid a second sitting of two eggs, and began to sit on them on July 9th. On the 2nd of August two birds were hatched. This shows the time of incubation to be twenty-four days. The male took no part in the incubation. I am glad to say that I have succeeded in rearing these two birds up to the present time, and that both are doing well, and are, I hope, out of danger, as they are now nearly three months old. I find the habits of these birds as near as possible those of the Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron). The faculty of flying begins very early, the young being able after four or five days to mount a high perch, and so to roost under the large wings of the parent bird. The difference in the sex of the young birds is shown by the males being much larger than the females, and also of a brighter colour. As will be seen by these notes, the three hens have laid altogether ten eggs. Two have laid four each, and one bird two eggs. Five eggs were bad ; and five birds were hatched, of which three died, and the other two are now living in the Gardens. I am glad to be able to add that the two young Argus Pheasants hatched last year are still thriving, and show every prospect of being likely to attain maturity. This is the more gratifying, as none of the continental gardens or amateurs, I believe, have yet succeeded in breeding this bird. M. Vekemans, of Antwerp, who has been so successful with most of the Phasianidae, writes me that though he has succeeded in hatching the eggs, he has uever been able to rear the young birds. I exhibit a skin of a chick of the Argus Pheasant (Plate VII.) which was hatched in our gardens in July last, and died when about thirty-five days old ; also some eggs of tbis species. The egg (Plate VIII. fig. I) is of a rich coffee-colour, finely punctured throughout, with a darker blotch at the large end. It measures about 2*6 by 1*9 inches. 2. THE PEACOCK PHEASANT (Polyplectron chinquis). Males of this species were introduced into our gardens in 1857; but no females were received until 1864. The birds paired and began to breed in 1866, and have continued to do so nearly every year until the present time. Unlike most of the Phasianidae in captivity, the Polyplectrons pair, and it is not practicable to keep one male for several hens. Mr. Misselbrook has furnished me with the following notes on the reproduction of this species. Report on the Polyplectrons. By B. MISSELBROOK. The Polyplectrons pair and begin to breed in the second vear of |