Sticking my neck out, but with some confidence in the matter, after many
years pouring over archaeological galliform bones as well as the extensive
collections at Tring, I believe there are only two certain ways to
differentiate chicken from pheasant bones. Both are mentioned in the
Cohen/Serjeantson book i.e. the pneumatised proximal foramen and the
continuation of the medial calcaneal ridge in the tarso-metatarsus, both
being pheasant rather than chicken traits.
Kevin Rielly
Archaeozoologist
Museum of London Specialist Services
Tel: 020 7566 9332
Fax: 020 7490 3955
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http://www.molss.org.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicholas Bateson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 21 October 2003 12:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ZOOARCH] Pheasant vs Domestic Fowl
Hullo all!
I am trying to pin down the differences between Pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus) and Domestic Fowl (Gallus gallus) as shown on the bones that
survive. I have the Cohen/Serjeantson bird bone manual and the article by
Percy Lowe in the Ibis for April 1933. Does anyone have relevant
experience or know of any other useful references?
Also are the species cross-fertile, and if so are their offspring fertile?
Any relevant information would be much appreciated.
As background to the enquiry, this work is part of an attempt to identify
dietary and other social changes in South London relating to the onset of
the Industrial Revolution.
Nicholas Bateson
Birkbeck Environmental Archaeology Group
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