Some Interesting Birds. 137 



Ther<3 should also be plenty of cover, both m the open (light.?, 

 and shelters; in the latter heaps of brushwood lyiny on sand will 

 fully meet the case; while as to the former, low giowing and| 

 si)rt.';uling evergreen bushi'S, such as ik'rl)(.'iis, Luurel, Rhodo- 

 dendron, Gorse, Heather, etc., all make good cover: of course 

 such kinds must be chosen as flourish best in respective locali- 

 ties; any local nurseryman would suggest others of similar 

 character, where many of the above do not flourish. 



Pheasan,ts do well on a general mixture of small 

 feereals jand seeds, with game meal, and an abundance of 

 greenfood, where the runs are not of sullicicnt extent to furnish 

 this it must be liberally supplied. During the winter, when 

 greenfood fails, various roots, such as Mangel -Wurzel, may 

 be 'given, but they should not be left in the open on frosty 

 nigl^ts. In fact, the better plan is to supply what will be 

 ea,ten, or to make a practice of taking indoors nightly any 

 unconsumed roots during the periods frosts are likely to occur. 

 Pheasant chicks in their earlier stages should get plenty 

 of live food — ants' cocoons, maggots, etc.— also custard and 

 meal. 



If the runs are at all confined, a frequent gathering up 

 of the birds' voidings wUl tend to keep the earth sweet for 

 a much longer period, and a light annual top dressing of fresh 

 soil, together with an occasional digging and re -sodding, will 

 keep theni fresh and sweet for quite long periods. 



The Lady Amherst's Pheasant inhabits rocky regions, 

 and their run should be well drained, and, if it can be raised 

 above the ordinary ground level, so much the better for the 

 birds. 



Pheasants readily interbreed, and very fine hybrids 

 result from crossing this species with the Golden (C pieties) 

 and also the Reeves's (Phasianus revesii). 



Thl Elliot's Pheasant (Calophasis ellioti) . Another 

 beautiful Pheasant, which like the preceding species is most 

 difficult for either pen or brush to adequately depict. It be- 

 longs to the group of Barred-back Pheasants, and though very 

 dillerent from the Lady Amherst's Pheasant, is equally beautiful; 

 in fact their exquisite and contrasty plumage make them even 

 more noticeable as they wander about a roomy and natural 

 run, as depicted in the fine photograph illustrating these 



