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Non-toxic. Ri Hua Zi states that it has slight toxicity.

Appendix: Bai Xian (White Eared Pheasant). Oviparous.

Pheasant Meat: Primarily tonifies the middle and boosts qi and strength, stops diarrhea and dysentery, and eliminates ants. (Recorded by Famous Physicians)

[Names] Shan Ji (Mountain Pheasant), Zhai, Shan Zhi (Mountain Pheasant), Ye Ji (Wild Pheasant).

[Origin] [According to *Tu Jing*]: The *Ben Jing* does not record the provinces where it originates; it is now found in both the north and south. It resembles domestic chickens but has a longer tail, a red comb on its head, and feathers of five colors. In the *Zhou Li*, the *Pu Ren* (Master of Foodstuffs) offers six types of poultry, among which the pheasant is one; it is also considered a precious food item. The *Er Ya* lists many names for pheasants, but few people today can fully recognize them. Between the Jianghuai region and the Yi and Luo rivers, there is a type with a long but small tail called Shan Ji, which people often keep in enclosures; this is what is referred to as Zhai or Shan Zhi. In Jiangnan, there is another type with white plumage and fine black patterns on its back called Bai Xian, which can also be kept. People there eat its meat, which is also a type of pheasant. The rest are no longer used.

[According to *Yan Yi*]: Its flight is like an arrow, going straight forward before falling, which is why people place its tail feathers on boats and carts today, intending to borrow the meaning of speed.

[Seasons] [Growth] Winter and Summer. [Harvest] Autumn and Winter.

[Usage] Meat.

[Characteristics] Resembles domestic chicken, with a long tail and five colors.

[Taste] Sour.

[Nature] Slightly cold.

[Qi] The flavor is stronger than the qi/yin aspect.

[Therapeutic Actions] [Treatment] [According to *Tang Ben Zhu*]: Meat treats various sores/ulcers. [According to *Bie Lu*]: Mainly treats asthma of the five zang organs characterized by inability to breathe effectively; effective when prepared and eaten as wontons. Treats postpartum dysentery, lower abdominal pain, and lumbar pain.

[Combined Therapies] Cooked into soup with salt and fermented soybeans to treat Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst syndrome) with excessive drinking, polyuria, dry mouth, and thirst. ○ One wild pheasant, finely chopped according to culinary methods, mixed with tangerine peel, pepper, scallion, salt, and sauce to make wontons. Boiled and eaten on an empty stomach to treat dysentery day and night due to spleen and stomach qi deficiency, intestinal slipping, and loss of appetite.

[Contraindications] Eating it from September to November provides tonic benefits; eating it in other months is toxic and may trigger the Five Hemorrhoids (Wu Zhi) as well as various sores and scabies. Self-dead pheasants with unextended feet and claws are poisonous and fatal if eaten.

[Avoidances] Do not consume together with walnuts, mushrooms, wood ear fungus, or fermented soybeans, as this induces Head Wind (Tou Feng) and heart pain, and may trigger hemorrhoids leading to immediate bloody stool. Consuming with buckwheat noodles generates fat worms and eggs. Consuming with scallions generates Taenia (tapeworms).

Hao Que (Mugwort Sparrow): Sweet taste, warm nature, non-toxic. Consumption benefits the Yang Dao (pathway of Yang). Applying its brain to frostbite prevents cracking of hands and feet. Resembles a sparrow, blue-black in color, found among mugwort. Abundant in the frontier regions. More delicious than other sparrows. Tuque Sparrow of the northern frontier: Reddish body, comes from the north, indicating impending invasion. Border guards observe them. Eating its meat is extremely heating and tonic.

○ Ji (a type of bird): Sweet taste, non-toxic. Eating its meat makes people brave and robust. Originates from Shangdang. Emperor Wu of Wei's poem states: "The Ji possesses fierce spirit; in fighting, it never yields, aiming only for death." Today, people use a crest resembling this bird.

○ Shan Jun Zi (Mountain Mushroom): Sweet taste, neutral nature, non-toxic. Mainly treats "wild pheasant disease" and kills parasites. Boiled or roasted for consumption. Grows in mountain forests east of the Yangtze River; resembles a chick without a tail.

○ Bai She Niao (Myrtle Thrush): Mainly treats insect bites; roasted for consumption. Also treats children suffering from prolonged mutism. Its nest and feces applied to insect bite sites are also effective. The current Ying (Oriole) is also known as Fan She.

○ Huang He Hou (Yellow-Brown Bird): Sweet taste, neutral nature, non-toxic. Mainly treats ant-infested malignant sores. Marinated with five flavors and roasted; tastes excellent. Resembles a dove, greenish-brown in color, sound like a child playing a flute.

○ Zhi (a mythical bird): Mainly treats fire disasters. According to Tiantu Fa Zhen Deng Luo Shan Shu: The *Shan Hai Jing* states: Keeping Zhi wards off fire disasters. Like the five-colored pheasant.

○ Niao Mu (Bird Eye): Non-toxic. Swallowing raw causes hallucinations of spirits. Alternatively, grinding the eyeball and applying it to the eyes allows seeing ghosts at night. Eating meat and eggs causes forgetfulness and confusion. Holding the feathers has the same effect. Confusion may not necessarily be due to the foul smell.

○ (Fu Li fan) (Tian Li fan) Ointment: Mainly treats deafness; dripped into ears. Also prevents swords and knives from rusting. Applied as ointment. Water bird. Resembles dove or duck, webbed feet preventing land travel, stays in water. Submerges when humans approach, rises when struck. *Er Ya* states: Ointment is used to polish swords. Poem from *Xu Ying Hua*: "Horses chew alfalfa leaves, swords polished with [this] ointment." This refers to it.