THE PHEASANT. 147 



do not assist their mates in the care of the broods, but associate 

 themselves together in small bands till the autumn, or rather the 

 commencement of cold weather, when they all again mingle indis- 

 criminately together, young and old. 



DRUMMING. 



Early in the spring, the forests resound far and wide, in certain 

 portions of our country, with the drumming of the cock pheasant, 

 who adopts this rather singular method of calling the hen into his 

 presence; in fact, the making of this peculiar noise is the only 

 sure plan that he has of wooing his mate from her close retreat 

 during the period of incubation. This operation is a very singular 

 manoeuvre, and we know not better how to explain it to our readers 

 than in the words of Audubon : — 



" The male bird, standing erect on a prostrate decayed trunk, 

 raises the feathers of its body in the manner of a turkey-cock, 

 draws its head towards its tail, erecting the feathers of the latter 

 at the same time, and, raising its ruff around the neck, suffers its 

 wings to drop, and struts about on the log. A few moments elapse, 

 when the bird draws the whole of its feathers close to its body, 

 and, stretching itself out, beats its sides with its Avings in the man- 

 ner of the domestic cock, but more loudly, and with such rapidity 

 of motion, after a few of the first strokes, as to cause a tremor in 

 the air not unlike the rumbling of distant thunder." 



This rumbling sound is called the drumming of the pheasant, 

 and in clear weather may be heard a long distance off. The cock 

 resorts to the same spot, if undisturbed, during the whole breeding 

 season, for the purpose of performing these singular manoeuvres, 

 as may very easily be proved by the large deposits of excrement and 

 feathers that are always found in places suitable for this purpose. 



During the pairing season, fierce battles often take place be- 

 tween the males for the possession of the females. The cocks are 

 not confined entirely in their attentions to one mate, but often 

 have several hens under their protection. 



