PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



but I only succeeded in bagging one, which went rolling down 

 the hill in its last struggles. The bird I bagged was a cock, 

 measuring 5 feet 4 inches from the bill to the end of the 

 tail feathers." 



The Reeves' has at various times been turned down on 

 some of the sporting properties of Great Britain, but it 

 cannot be considered a success, for the males drive away 

 the common and ring-necked Pheasants, and do not 

 interbreed freely with either species. 



A fight between two old cocks is a beautiful exhibition of 

 activity and spirit. They spring up 5 or 6 feet in the air 

 before striking, and such is their agility, that the bird assailed 

 hardly ever allows himself to be struck. So much the 

 better for him, for it will be observed that the legs are 

 garnished with spurs as long and sharp as those of the 

 game-cock. 



The last peculiarity of this species worth naming, is 

 that when they set out on a jaunt, they make for the highest 

 point within range, whereas the common Pheasant is 

 accustomed to travel downwards, along the course of the 

 valleys. 



54 



