40 PHEASANTS 



clap of thunder, a distant gun, or the 

 firing of a blasting charge. At the season 

 of mating, the cocks crow at any hour of 

 day, drawing themselves up to their full 

 height and beating their wings rapidly 

 as they give vent to their feelings. When 

 flushed after squatting in covert, the cock 

 usually crows thrice as he rises. On 

 the unwelcome appearance of a fox in 

 covert, all the pheasants rise into the 

 trees, whence they loudly resent the 

 intruder's presence. When thus alarmed, 

 the cocks cannot be justly said to crow ; 

 all bold defiance has left their note, and 

 although the difference may not be set 

 down in words, it is quite unmistakable 

 when heard. ^ 



One would expect wild creatures with 

 many enemies abroad to seek their night's 

 rest in silence, yet * lights out' is a 

 common call in the bird world ; one need 



1 Inflections in the notes of birds are always difficult to 

 explain. An observant gamekeeper well knows by the 

 alarm note of a blackbird, whether the danger comes from 

 above — a hawk, or below — a stoat, yet he would be put to 

 it to say wherein lies the diflFerence. 



