From Arthur Nicols   15 March 1880

Dear Sir,

Although that which is a new observation to me is likely to be quite familiar to you, I venture to send you some of the tail coverts of a male pheasant, which simulate, especially in the small pseudo “ocelli”, the corresponding feathers of the peacock. The bird was killed just at the end of the season, and was in magnificent nuptial plumage, having the white ring on the neck and being, as I should judge from his spurs, three years old.

Comparing him with examples of P. Colchicus, P. versicolor, and P. torquatus, he seems to share the blood of all, but the characters of the latter prevail. On the other hand he is (unlike the pure P. torquatus) a very large individual.¹ The point that struck me in this bird was the (to me unusual) distinctness of the pseudo “ocelli” of the tail coverts. Whether this has any significance I must leave you to decide.

Perhaps these markings should not be termed ocelli at all, but the semi-lunar green mark incloses an irregular spot differently coloured, and the barbs are separated as in the peacock’s feathers.

Looking down the back of this bird I was much struck by the general resemblance of the tail coverts to those of the peacock, when not spread out.

yours faithfully | Arthur Nicols.