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Show 1879.] PHEASANTS IN THE SOCIETY'S GARDENS. 115 originally introduced have become almost extinct in Europe1, we have nevertheless succeeded of late years in breeding two or three other more recently acquired species, concerning which I have a few remarks to offer to the Society, principally as an introduction to the valuable notes which our head keeper, Mr. Benjamin Misselbrook, who has for many years had the breeding Gallinaceous birds under his care, has at m y request drawn up upon this subject. 1. THE ARGUS PHEASANT (Argus giganteus). The first birds of this species possessed by the Society were two cocks, presented by Mr. J. G. Fanshawe, F.Z.S., in May 1872. Mr. Fanshawe informs me that these birds were sent to him by Mr. Arthur N. Birch, F.Z.S., late Colonial Secretary at Singapore, where Argus Pheasants are frequently brought to market alive. The birds are caught by the natives in springes in the jungles, tied up in palm-leaves, so as to be prevented from knocking themselves about, and brought to market alive, the weather being so hot that the birds cannot be conveyed when dead, so as to be useful for food. Thus obtained they are frequently placed in aviaries, where they soon become tame, and are killed when they are required for the table. It was from some of the tame stocks in the aviaries that Mr. Fan-shawe's birds were derived. In July 1873 Sir Harry Old, Governor of the Straits Settlements, presented us with two hen Argus Pheasants, probably derived from the same source; and we thus became possessed of two perfect pairs of this bird. Before the commencement of the last breeding-season we had lost one of our cock birds; but there still remained in the Gardens, besides the other cock and the two hens above mentioned, a third hen, received on deposit in 1873. I subjoin Mr. Misselbrook's report on the breeding of these birds during the season of 1878. Report on the Argus Pheasants, 1878. By B. MISSELBROOK. This season there were four adult examples of the Argus Pheasant in the Gardens, one cock and three hens. The hens were placed in adjoining compartments, and the cock shifted from one to the other about every alternate day. Hen number one laid two eggs, one on March the 7th and one on March the 9th. As she did not seem inclined to sit herself, I placed these eggs under a bantam hen. After thirty days, no young birds appearing, the eggs were taken away, when one of them was found to contain a dead bird, and the other was addled. Hen number two laid two eggs, one on May 27th, the other on Mav 29th. These eggs were also put under a bantam hen; and after twenty-four davs' sitting two birds were hatched. Both these did very well for five weeks, when they were atacked with worm in the windpipe; and both, unfortunately, died. 1 The Impeyan (Lophophorus impeyanus) has not bred with us since 1871, and has, I believe, likewise failed on the Continent. The Crossoptilon (Cros-soptilon mantchuricum) and tbe Cheer (Phasianus wallichii) have both become scarce; and others (e. g. Ph. scemmerringi and Ceriornis satyra) seem to hare been altogether lost. |