34 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



young birds can fly, and in the autumn, Partridges are 

 seen in coveys of from eight to twenty birds. 



Nest. On ground, in long herbage, or under a bush. 



Eggs. Olive-brown. 



Haunts. Cultivated lands. 



PHEASANT. (R. Game Bird. Pheasants 

 and Partridges.) 



Size. Rook, large. 



Colour. Male : head and neck dark glossy green. 

 Mantle, chest, breast and flanks fiery-orange, with blue- 

 black margins of feathers, lower back maroon and 

 greerish, tail olive with narrow black bars. Centre of 

 breast black. Female : sandy-brown, with dark-brown 

 and black markings. 



Note. A short abrupt crow, often heard in the woods 

 on spring and summer evenings. 



Distinguishing Feature. The brilliant colouring of 

 the male bird and long tail. The Pheasant, like the 

 Partridge, often gets up from under one's feet with a 

 startling whirr and" clatter. 



Nest. On ground under hedge or bush. 



Eggs. Uniform olive-brown. 



Haunts. Woods and fields. Often seen feeding on 

 the grasslands at the edge of a wood. The Pheasant 

 is polygamous, the male bird having several wives, 

 unlike the Partridge, which pairs. 



PIGEON, WOOD. (R. Pigeons. Numbers 

 increased in winter by immigration from 

 Northern Europe.) 



Size. Slightly larger than ordinary domestic Pigeon. 



Colour. Above, pale slaty-grey, wing-quills darker, 

 an edging of white round the wing. Head and throat 

 bluish-grey, on each side of neck a patch of white. A 

 gloss of lilac all round lower neck. Chest pinkish, rest 

 of under parts greyish-white. Lower part of back and 

 rump pale grey, tail grey, tipped with black. Feet pink. 



Note. A cooing note, familiar to all dwellers in the 

 country, said to resemble ' Take two coo-oos, Paddy.' 



Distinguishing Feature. The large size, clear grey 

 colour, and white patches on sides of neck. Note as 

 above. Powerful flight. 



