6o4 THE MONGOLIAN PHEASANT. 



and cunning, and is able, under necessity, to maintain a thrifty existence in tlie 

 forests and uncleared river valleys, in c(ini])lele inde])endence of men. It is 

 even able, and this is a \iial point, tn (|iiirkly discriminate between open and 

 close seasiin. ;ind to resume the warier liti' niider the hcliest of a single dav's 

 discipline. 



As a game bird, also, the China Pheas;inl ranks high. Its flesh is above 

 the average, and its pursuit in\-ol\es all the elements of sagacity, skill, and en- 

 durance, which constitute upland shooting S])orl. The bird lies well to a 

 dog — that is, when cornered — but if he has a running chance, the dog nuist 

 win his point. Pheasants are cunning sneaks and swift runners, and the cocks 

 will sometimes tra\el at top sjjeed for half a mile before admitting defeat and 

 crouching for tlie wing test. The bin! lea])s into the air with a sudden cr\', 

 pauses for a fraction of a second to get his course, then awa\' on vigorous 

 wings. 



The Pheasant is usually thus pursued with gun and dog, after the fashion 

 observed in case of all native grouse, and that moment of indecision which al- 

 ways comes after the bird is up is the fa\'orable moment for the gunner. lUit 

 it is no mean test of skill to stop a Pheasant in mid-llighi when the hunt is cit 

 Ihiltiir. after the b'nglish and Continental fasliiDU. 



Stubble fields and open situations are the jireferred range of the Ring- 

 necks, but thev are c|uite at home in the jungle. They are especiallx- to be 

 found at the borders of clearings, where their hanntiug [jresence is likely to be 

 resented l)v the pioneer who is trying to car\e a garden out of a forest. Some 

 damage tliey undoulitedly do, just as chickens would, l)ut it is to be suspected 

 that those wlm complain most bitterh- of the "de\ astatiims" wrought by this 

 fowl are seeking cover for their ])ractice, all ton fi-ei|uent, of potting these 

 lu'^''ious birds out of season. 



Fecuu(lit\- is amither trait of this hardy fowl. 'I'he liirds are polygamous, 

 and tlie cock is ]5repared to fight for the possession of the largest possible 

 harem. The females raise two or three broods in a season, but not content 

 with this, the amorous cocks seek alliance with uatixe and domestic species. 

 Flybrids formed bv the crossing of China Pheasants and i^ooty Grouse are not 

 infrequent, atid tlie introduction of wild blood into the farm-yard results in 

 interesting and not unprofitable forms. 



Cock Pheasants crow somewdiat after the fashion of Chanticleer, produc- 

 ing a sort of double explosive sound. sqinriCk-sijiKnck, accompanied by a vigor- 

 ous clapping of wings. I\Ir. AMCtor Savings called my attention to the fact 

 that in the spring of the \'ear, wdien any unusual noise is made the nearest cock 

 Pheasant crows instantly. Air. Savings, Sr., was engaged in blasting out 

 stumps and I was able to confinu \'ictor's obser\-ations, for every time the 

 Hercules ])owder "let go" with a dull Imom. some Phea.sant crowed 



