118 Wild^^Domesticated. 



wholesomeness of its flesh was proverbial 

 among the old physicians ; it is of a high 

 flavour and alkalescent quality, and in per- 

 fection in autumn. A young pheasant 

 very fat, is reckoned an exquisite dainty. 

 In a wild state, the hen lays from eigh- 

 teen to twenty eggs in a season, but seldom 

 more than ten, in a state of confinement. 

 Pheasants are not to be tamed by domes- 

 tication, like other fowls, nor is the flesh of 

 those brought up in the house, in any de- 

 gree comparable to that of the wild phea- 

 sant : thence !hey are bred at home, either 

 merely for shew, or for the purpose of re- 

 plenishing the proprietor's grounds, both 

 with regard to number or particular varie- 

 ties. However good nursing mothers in a 

 wild state, pheasant hens are far otherwise 

 in the house, whence their eggs are always 

 HATCHED at home by the common hen, gene- 

 rally, at present, by the smooth-legged 

 BANTAM. The natural nest of the phea- 

 sant is composed of dry grass and leaves, 

 which being provided for her in confine- 

 ment, she will sometimes properly dispose. 



