Abstract
As the photos accompanying this article so graphically depict , these are two extremely handsome and striking members of the pheasant family; highly ornamented and turned out. Along with English trifle and Texas longhorns, their respective places of origin are rather sensibly a part of their name, and thus I will not repeat the obvious. While they are under the same kinds of habitat pressure shared by other avian species of the tropical forest areas , these two species are reported to be holding their own currently. Even though they are highly desirable specimens, they are certainly not commonplace in captivity, and the Malayan crested fireback is becoming especially difficult to obtain. If present trends continue, the Malayan crested fireback will soon be an endangered species in captivity, regardless of its status in the wild . One of the big problems in raising firebacks and other pheasants is obtaining unrelated stock for breeding purposes. I am sure this same difficulty exists with regard to other species of birds. Much of the problem can be laid directly at the doorstep of breeders who, in the past and even today, act in total disregard of the most basic concepts of genetics and
improvement through...