DOMESTICATED BIRDS 



181 



From the host of these feathered creatures men have from 

 time to time selected species which grace their habitations by 

 their beauty, their song, or by the sympathetic relations 

 which they form with their captors. Our successes in these 

 efforts toward domestication of these birds have been most 



The English Pheasant 



eminent with those varieties which in their wilderness state 

 have a well-developed social life, which abide in families or 

 flocks, and have the pairing habit well affirmed. The reason 

 for this has been already indicated. It is due to the sympa- 

 thetic motive which is developed in such communal life, and 

 is manifested in the friendly relations with each other which 

 the creatures maintain. A good instance of this is to be 



