RING-NECKED PHEASANT {Phasi- 

 anus torqiiatus). These handsome birds 

 have been introduced into various parts of 

 our country and in some sections are thriving 

 very well, notably so in Oregon and Wash- 

 ington and almost as well in New England. 

 The male is an exceptionally beautiful bird, 

 measuring about 36 in. in length, including 

 the long tail. They inhabit cultivated or 

 weed-grown fields and brush-covered side 

 hills or pasture land. Sportsmen who use 

 only the pointer or setter have quite unani- 

 mously voted Pheasants failures as game 

 birds, but a well trained hound will fur- 

 nish as much sport with them as can be se- 

 cured from any bird. Some of my pleasant- 

 est days afield have been with a hound and 

 without a gun. What more could one wish 

 than to watch his faithful friend coursing all 

 over the field, hot on the trail of the running 

 cock pheasant and finally "standing" him 

 in some thick cover. Some claim that it will 

 spoil a dog if you do not occasionally shoot 

 game he puts up, but I have found that 

 words of appreciation of his good work go 

 just as far as getting the game. Everyone 

 has his own tastes and, as an article of food, 

 I have yet to find any game equal to the 

 Pheasant. It is very like quail but with the 

 great advantage of good size. 



Claims that Pheasants destroy young 

 grouse I believe to be contrary to fact and spiteful, since the two species do 

 not frequent the same covers, and I have had much experience with both 

 during the breeding season. 



PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE {Pedioecetes phasianellus campes- 

 tris). The typical Sharp-tail is found from Central Alaska and British 

 Columbia east to Ontario and western Ungava; the Columbian Sharp-tail 

 inhabits the region from northeastern California and Colorado north to 

 Alberta; and the present variety occurs from Illinois and Kansas north to 

 Manitoba. The three varieties differ only slightly in the tone of coloring, 

 and even more slightly in size, averaging on 16 in. in length. Unlike 

 Prairie Chickens, these birds do not thrive on cultivated land, but advance 

 ahead of the settlers and make their homes in more remote country. 



SHARP-TAILED GROUSE 

 RING-NECKED PHEASANT 



54 



