COMMON PHEASANT. 173 



it was in such repute, as to be admitted to the tables only 

 of the highest classes. These birds feed on corn of all 

 kinds. The flowers of the alder are said to be a deadly 

 poison to them. The females lay five or six eggs, and 

 usually in some sequestered place. The incubation occu- 

 pies about twenty-eight days ; and the young birds ac- 

 quire their perfect plumage in the third year. Peacocks 

 are found wild in several parts of Asia and Africa. The 

 largest and finest birds are stated to be those which in- 

 habit the shores of the river Ganges, in the East Indies. 

 The Pea-hen is entirely devoid of the beautiful train which 

 forms so conspicuous an ornament in the other sex, 



29. PHEASANT TRIBE. 



Nearly all the birds of this tribe are in great request as 

 food. Some of the species are found on the old, and 

 others on the new continent. They all form their nests on 

 the ground. 



Common Pheasant. In former years Pheasants were 

 much more abundant in our islands than they are at 

 present. The gradual increase of our population, the 

 improvements which have taken place in agriculture, and 

 the art of shooting flying, have all tended to reduce the 

 stock. These birds are domesticated in nearly all the 

 countries of the ancient world ^ and, as it has been affirmed, 

 were brought from the island of Colchis by the Argo- 

 nauts, They are partial to wooded countries, in the 

 neighbourhood of cultivated lands. They feed on acorns, 

 berries, grain, and the seeds of plants. Their nests are 

 formed upon the ground, and generally contain from ten 

 to fifteen eggs, which are somewhat smaller than those 

 of the domestic hen. During their breeding-season they 



