CHAPTER III 



The Mongolian Pheasant [Phasianus Mongolicus) 



Thp: introduction of the Mongolian Pheasant into the 

 British Isles has most certainly done more towards the 

 improvement of Pheasants in the coverts than any other 

 variety. For strength of flight, for size, for soundness of 

 constitution, fertility, and early maturity, the Mongolian 

 Pheasant, both in its pure and hybrid forms, stands second 

 to none, and the author believes that most shooting men, 

 game-rearers and others interested in Pheasant preservation 

 will concur in the truth of this statement. 



It is impossible for Mongolian Pheasants to be kept in 

 the wrong place, as they will thrive under conditions that 

 would be totally inadequate for the rearing of other birds 

 belonging to the same genus. It is a species that not only 

 succeeds as a first, second and third cross, but in subsequent 

 ones, in fact, it can be crossed and recrossed without ap- 

 parently showing any signs of degeneracy, as happens in 

 the case of most other species. Take, for instance, the 

 Japanese Pheasant. The first cross is generally a very 

 successful one, but subsequent ones have proved to be 

 failures in the majority of instances. 



As the name implies, this Pheasant comes from Mongolia, 

 from the cold parts of China, and the Valley of the Black Irtish. 



Mongolia is one of the deserts of the world, the vegetation 

 being scanty, and very little rain falls, whilst cold blasts come 

 from the north, and the winters are intensely cold. In the 

 centre and eastern portions are mountain ranges, and between 

 these fertile valleys. As the vegetation is scanty, and there 



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