Name/Title
Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)Entry/Object ID
2001.01.21Description
Taxidermy - Full specimen mount of bird
This bird, a Ringneck or Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), native to Asian countries and parts of Europe, is one of the most successful and well-known introduced game birds in North America. Male Ringnecked Pheasants are gaudy birds with red faces and an iridescent green neck with a white ring. The male’s very long tail is coppery with thin, black bars. The term ringnecked pheasant is both the name used for the species as a whole in North America and also the collective name for a number of subspecies that have white neck rings.Context
The early members of the Union Club of British Columbia enjoyed the scenic splendours and the many opportunities for sports fishing and big game hunting across the province. Over time, the Club became noted for its outstanding collection of mounted taxidermy items. Of note, in 1910 the Club loaned its collection to the Dominion Government for international exhibition in Vienna (details unknown).
It appears that the mounted Wolf Eel (2001.01.100) may be the only survivor of the original early 20th century collection. For further detail - see Susan Mayse, "The Union Club of British Columbia - Our First 125 Years" (Victoria, B.C.: The Union Club of British Columbia, 2004):59, and Paul L. Bissley, "Early and Late Victorians: A History of the Union Club of British Columbia" (Sidney, B.C.: Review Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd., 1969). Both publications are available in the UCBC Library.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
R. Raine (1873-1943)Role
TaxidermistDate made
1890Time Period
19th CenturyNotes
Stuffed and mounted Ringneck Pheasant in wood and glass case with natural painted scene on the back and dried foliage. Faces right, and posed with left foot forward.
TAXIDERMIST BIOGRAPHY (partial)
R. Raine is one of the two brothers who operated a taxidermy business, in Carlisle, capital of Cumbria, England between 1918 and 1943.
Advertised as: R. & G.W. Raine Bros., Scientific & Ornamental Taxidermists, Gun & Fishing Tackle Makers, Carlisle. Further research is required.
BACKGROUND INFO. (identified but not viewed)
R.M. Sellers, "Birds and mammals preserved by R. & G. W. Raine Brothers, the Carlisle taxidermists, 1918–1943" in Archives of Natural History (April 2017, Vol. 44, No. 1):74-81.
RESTORATION TAXIDERMIST (identified but not viewed)
Article reference to Wayne Siebert as a boy taxidermist in The Chilliwack Progress (BC), (Friday, October 23, 1959) p 1,
and as a speaker as a taxidermist at the Chilliwack Naturalists' Club some 24 years later in The Chilliwack Progress (BC), (Wednesday, September 14, 1983), p 34.Dimensions
Dimension Description
CaseHeight
40.7 cmWidth
68.6 cmAcquisition
Acquisition Method
GiftDate
1912Notes
Legacy collection
Plaque: Mounted by R. Raine Taxidermy Carlisle, England 1890 Restored by Wayne Siebert of Victoria Taxidermy Ltd. Victoria B.C. Canada 1988.
Donated by Major William St. John Beale, UCBC Secretary, 1912. See also donated artwork by Major William St. John Beale incl. biography - 2001.02.12, .13 and .14.Relationships
Related Entries
Notes
2001.01.21 Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Taxidermy
2001.01.96 Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Taxidermy
2001.01.99 Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Taxidermy
2016.01.03 Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)