COMMON PHEASANT. 125 



one which I opened in the winter of 1835. I am not aware 

 that any species of fern has ever been found constituting part 

 of the food of either a ruminating quadruped or gallinaceous 

 bird ; and if it should be found by experiment that the Phea- 

 sant thrives on such substances, advantage might be taken of 

 the circumstance. 



In England, Pheasants are extensively bred for suppl}^ng 

 preserves, and in the southern parts of that country are there- 

 fore to be found only in a semidomesticated state, so as to af- 

 ford little sport to a person who finds pleasure in pursuing 

 game in its wild haunts. The quantity killed at the winter 

 convocations of persons addicted to this sort of slaughter is 

 often immense, from 800 to 1000 head of game, the greater 

 part Hares and Pheasants, being, according to Sir William 

 Jardine, a frequent daily amount at the Christmas batteau. 

 These exploits are scarcely more manly or dignified than 

 those of Jonathan Duggins, Esq., as recorded in the Comic 

 Annual for 1837. — " Heard some pheasants crowing by the 

 side of a plantation. — Got within gun-shot of two of the birds, 

 vich Higgins said they vos two game-cocks : but Hicks, 

 who had often been to Vestminster Pit, said, No sitch thing ; 

 as game-cocks had got short square tails, and smooth necks, 

 and long military spurs. Shot at 'em as pheasants, and believe 

 ve killed 'em both ; but hearing some orrid screams come out 

 of the plantation immediately hafter, ve all took to our eels 

 and ran avay vithout stopping to pick either of 'em up. — At 

 the end of a mile came suddenly upon a strange sort of bird, 

 vich Hicks declared to be the cock-of-the-woods. Sneaked 

 behind him and killed him. Turned out to be a peacock." 

 For my part, having had no practice in this way, I am much 

 inclined to persuade myself, as the fox did when he could not 

 get at the grapes, that a brace of ptarmigan brought home after 

 a day's hard marching to the cragg}" summit of some misty hill 

 in the Gael-land, would afford more pleasure than a Avhole 

 thicketful of pheasants. 



Instances of crossing between these birds and the domestic 

 fowl sometimes occur ; and more rarely, between them and 

 the Black Grouse, of which one is recorded in the Maorazine 



