THE PHEASANT. 77 



brown arrays the female, often adorned, however, with 

 spots and hnes. 



** Close by the borders of the fringed lake, 



And on the oak's expanding bough, is seen 

 (What time the leaves the passing zephyrs shake, 



And gently murmur through the sylvan scene) 

 The gaudy pheasant, rich with varying dyes, 



That fade alternate, and alternate glow, 

 Receiving now his colours from the skies. 



And now reflecting back the watery bow. 

 He flaps his wings, erects his spotted crest ; 



His flaming eyes dart forth a piercing ray; 

 He swells the lovely plumage of his breast, 



And glares a wonder of the orient day." 



The pheasant is now found in a state of nature in 

 almost every part of the old continent, except the 

 northern, but it is not known in America. It bears 

 confinement tolerably well, and produces a great many 

 eggs in that state. The eggs are often put under a 

 common fowl to be hatched : by this means a great 

 many are reared every year, and afterwards let loose 

 into the woods, which are preserved, or kept free from 

 intruders : were it not for this, the breed would proba- 

 bly be soon extinct. 



Luxury keeps up a demand for these birds, and the 

 sportsman makes them an easy prey. 



