BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 3 15 



INTRODUCED SPECIES. 



1 Phasianus torquatus Gmel. 

 Ring Pheasant. 



Common permanent resident. 



In 1893, Dr. J. C. Phillips liberated about twenty-five Ring Pheasants at 

 Beverly, and he has liberated others from time to time since. Some ten or fif- 

 teen years ago, Mr. J. B. Brown began to set these birds free on his large estate 

 at Castle Hill, Ipswich. At Manchester, Pheasants have been introduced by 

 Mr. James McMillan about seven or eight years ago. The birds have proved 

 very hardy and prolific, and have increased rapidly under the protection of the 

 law. The Annual Report of the Fish and Game Commission for 1904 states 

 that the Pheasant "has increased wonderfully in West Gloucester, Manchester, 

 Essex, Wenham, Danvers, Boxford, Topsfield, and Hamilton." Ipswich should 

 be added to this list of towns. 



The birds have a bad reputation among farmers, as they are worse than the 

 Domestic Fowls in scratching up a newly planted garden, and eating the seed. 

 They are said also to peck the corn in the ear. It is a question, however, 

 whether their insect-eating habits do not more than counterbalance this harm. 

 By sportsmen, 1 too, they are heartily disliked as they ruin young dogs by their 

 habit of running, not lying close like the Ruffed Grouse, our prince of game 

 birds. It is possible they may improve in this respect when they have been 

 hunted for some time. 



They are common birds at Ipswich near the sea, frequenting the fields and 

 thickets of Castle Hill and the adjoining sand dunes, and visiting all the neigh- 

 boring fields and gardens. Their tracks in the sand are characteristic, the three 

 toe-marks in front are well spread out and there is a dot behind made by the 

 short hind toe. 



The Ring Pheasant is a beautiful bird, whether running on the ground with 

 powerful strides, or sailing meteor-like through the air, showing his blue metallic 

 head, snow-white neck-ring, golden brown back, and long tail. The young birds 

 with their shorter tails are more liable to be mistaken for Ruffed Grouse. 



1 J. C. Phillips: Forest and Stream, vol. 60, p. 10, 1903. 



