Pheasant

Taxidermy case of two female 'reversion of sex' Pheasant by Edward Hart.

Taxidermy case of two female 'reversion of sex' Pheasant. According to Edward Hart, writing on 5 May 1927, 'Reversion of Sex Pheasant: Left (no 1): December 1880; right (no 2): January 23rd 1903. The assumption of male plumage by barren females is occasionally found. It takes place usually in old hens, and sometimes with it the voice of the male. It depends on sterility or disease of the ovary. Such hens do not lay, and as age increases, the plumage becomes more male-like, even to the wattle round the eye. The ear tufts have been assumed by one of these specimens. Mounted by me'.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
NH.83.3/246
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
case: 562 mm x 865 mm x 375 mm; overall: 12000 g
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
taxidermy case
CATEGORY
Natural History: Zoology
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