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CHAPTER V. 
GAME BIRDS. 
HE Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) abounds on all 
the estates in the forest district, and to such an ex- 
tent that few would credit the immense numbers. They 
are almost as tame as harn-door fowls, and may be seen 
on the skirts of various plantations. Carefully tended 
and fed, and all their natural enemies destroyed, they 
become so accustomed to the presence of man that in 
many parts they will hardly take the trouble to get out 
of the way, and are scarcely entitled to the appellation 
of wild. Under circumstances so favourable they mul- 
tiply rapidly, but a natural limit seems to be set to their 
increase, and frequently where they are most abundant 
large numbers are found dead without apparent cause. 
These are always exceedingly fat, and their plumage in 
the glossiest condition ; they seem to drop down and die 
without a struggle. I have had them brought to me in 
this state, and have found their flesh plump and of 
good colour, and every feather smooth and perfect. The 
mortality from this cause is sometimes great, but it 
is only what might be expected when natural laws are 
interfered with; a farmer might as well attempt to keep 
an unlimited stock of sheep on his pastures. A remark- 
able instance of a similar result occurred in 1859 on Ailsa 
Craig. For some years previous to this date, every 
