PHEASANTS. 



289 



which It constantly frequents. Its habit of roosting upon trees is, however, 

 still more fatal,.since, being an object of considerable size, readily distinguished 

 by Its long tail, and not easily frightened from its perch, it offers a sure mark 

 during moonlight nights to the gun of the poacher. The roosting-place of the 

 male bird is very easily discovered, for he invariably "chuckles" when he 

 first " trees," or goes to perch ; and the female usually utters a faint chirp on 





Fig. 147. — The Common Pheasant {Phasianics Cokhiais). 



the same occasion. During summer and the period of moulting, the pheasant 

 laiely perches, but retires for the night to the longest grass, or other thick 

 cover, and does not begin to "mount" again until towards the end of Sep- 

 tember or the beginning of October, having at that period renewed its plu- 

 mage. Where pheasants arc numerous, the males are in general found asso- 

 ciated during the winter, separate from the females ; and it is not until about 

 the end of March that they allow the approach of the latter without signs of 

 displeasure, or at least of indifference. At the above-mentioned time, how- 

 ever, tlie male bird assumes an altered appearance : the scarlet of his cheeks 

 and around his eyes acquires an additional depth of colour, and he walks 



