78 BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



Food. — Insects, worms, etc. 



Voice. — A shrill and clear " weet " when nesting; call-note, " tirr." 

 In Summer, "quet" or "quit;" also " chirra, chirra, chirra," 

 and " kvow." When rising and pursuing one another, " ket- 

 ket-ket." 



Chief Features. — Its comparative rarity as a British breeding bird. 

 A fine swimmer and diver, and a rapid bird on the wing. On 

 land it is also fleet of foot, being unlike many aquatic species 

 in this respect. 



Plumage. — The female is ash-grey on head, hind neck, and shoulders ; 

 dark grey, with a rufous mixture, above; on the wing a bar of 

 white; chestnut neck; upper breast same colour as head; 

 white under parts ; black bill ; greenish legs and feet. Length. — 

 Seven inches and three-quarters. The male is smaller, and is 

 not so gaudily attired as his mate. 



PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) 



Local Names. — Cock-up, Longtail, Pheasie, Ring-Necked Pheasant. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, plantations, and their vicinity. 



Nesting Period. — April and May. 



Site of Nest. — A hedge bottom, field, or coppice, and woods. 



Materials Used. — Dead leaves and grass. 



Eggs. — Seven to Fourteen, or more. 



Food. — Seeds, acorns, berries, shoots, leaves, and insects. 



Voice. — A startling " cock-up, cock-up, cock-up." 



Chief Features. — Mostly esteemed as a game bird. Is rigidly- 

 preserved. Owing to its being shot, the species in this country 

 has become polygamous, and does not pair as in its native 

 wilds. The male is a really handsome bird, and battles are 

 fought for possession of a female during the breeding season. 

 The young can run about directly they emerge from the shell. 



Plumage. — Green, blue, and yellow metallic reflections on head and 

 neck; bare on sides of head, scarlet, spotted minutely with 

 black; plumage generally marked with spots and bands of 

 brown, red, purple, green, yellow, and black. The female is 

 less gaudy, being light brown, and feathered on the sides of 

 the head. Length. — Thirty-six inches. 



PIPIT, MEADOW (Anihus pratensis) 



Local Names. — Bog Lark, Cheeper, Chin Chacker, Grey Cheeper, 

 Heather Cheeper, Heather Lintic, Hill Sparrow, Ling Bird, 

 Meadow Lark, Meadow Titling, Moor Titc, Moor Titling, Moss 

 Cheeper, Mossie, Peep, Pipit, Pipit Lark, Teetan, Teetick, 



