78 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



Sometimes they are buried several feet under the snow for 

 days at a time. They dig burrows and eat grass and clover. 

 When they wish, they can get to the surface. A normal, 

 full-winged pheasant can fly from soft deep snow like a 

 ruffed grouse, which it is said that quails cannot do. After 

 snowstorms, at the New York State Game Farm, they 

 plough out strips in the pheasant enclosures, and the birds 

 emerge from the snow and come to feed. Notwithstanding 

 their hardiness, however, reasonable shelter should be pro- 

 vided, as all birds are not always in such prime condition. 



Prices. As to comparative expense, one can figure it out. 

 Eggs cost about 25 cents each, or $3 a dozen. Breeding- 

 stock would be about $2.75 to $3.50 per bird, prices being less 

 in fall and early winter. Another thing to consider is that 

 early eggs and chicks are by far the best. Late eggs are 

 cheaper, but fewer of them may hatch, and the young are 

 likely to die. Early eggs may cost more, but they are worth 

 it. 



Polygamy. Unlike quails, most pheasants are polyga- 

 mous. The ring-neck.is notably so. One cock to five hens 

 seems to be the prevailing practice, though some use one to 

 three or four. The silver pheasant, and a few rarer kinds, 

 breed in pairs. 



Fighting. As spring approaches there is liable to be some 

 fighting and chasing on the part of the cocks, which may do 

 damage unless proper care is taken. Too large a proportion 

 of cocks in a pen is one cause. Superfluous males should be 

 shut up by themselves. Another preventive is to have the 

 yard large enough, and plenty of brush-heaps for hiding. 

 Rogers's theory is that pheasants are cowardly, skulking 

 birds and that more often birds get hurt by dashing into the 

 wire when chased than by actual combat. 



Effect on Native Species. This matter of pugnacity raises 



