64 ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



had human friends; it is the only instance I have met 

 with of a pheasant being kept as a household pet, and 

 was related to me by my old friend the late Dr. 

 Cunninghame Geikie, of Bournemouth, author of 

 religious books. The bird was a handsome cock, 

 owned by a lady of that place, who kept it for many 

 years — he said nineteen, but he may have been 

 mistaken about the time. The main thing was his 

 disposition, his affection for his people and the fine 

 courage he displayed in protecting them. His zeal 

 in looking after them was at times inconvenient. He 

 was particularly attached to his mistress, and liked 

 to attend her on her walks, and made himself her 

 guardian. But he was distrustful of strangers, and 

 when she was at home he would keep watch, and if 

 he saw a visitor approaching the house — some person 

 he did not know — he would boldly sally forth to 

 meet and order him off the premises with suitable 

 threatening gestures, which if not quickly obeyed 

 would be followed by a brisk attack, the blows, with 

 spurs, being aimed at the intruder's legs. 



