BIRDS IN THE CALENDAR 



endeavoured to cite the mangold as its staple 

 food. This, however, is political, and not 

 natural history. Although, however, like all 

 grain-eating birds, the pheasant is no doubt 

 capable of inflicting appreciable damage on 

 cultivated land, it seems to be established 

 beyond all question that it also feeds greedily 

 on the even more destructive larva of the 

 crane-fly, in which case it may more than 

 pay its footing in the fields. The foodstuff 

 most fatal to itself is the yew leaf, for which, 

 often with fatal results, it seems to have an 

 unconquerable craving. The worst disease, 

 however, from which the pheasant suffers 

 is " gapes," caused by an accumulation of 

 small red worms in the windpipe that all 

 but suffocate the victim. 



Reference has been made to the bird's 

 great speed in the air, as well as to its effi- 

 ciency as a runner. It remains only to add 

 that it is also a creditable swimmer and has 

 been seen to take to water when escaping 

 from its enemies. 



The polygamous habit has been mentioned. 

 Ten or twelve eggs, or more, are laid in the 

 simple nest of leaves, and this is generally 

 16 



