76. 



CHAPTER XV 



MARKETING THE PHEASANT 



The demand for ringnecks for breeding purposes is considerably 

 greater than the supply. This, coupled with the fact that breeders bring 

 higher prices than birds sold for table purposes, is responsible for the fact 

 that few birds reared in this country find their way to the market, that por- 

 tion of the demand being met almost exclusively with pheasants imported 

 in cold storage from Great Britain. Two things, however, are likely in the 

 future so to increase the breeding of pheasants in this country that eventu- 

 ally they will come upon the market as a part of the nation's game food: 



1. When the farmer's wife awakens to the fact that a few ringnecks 

 reared each year will produce more pin money than chickens, guineas or 

 turkeys, with hardly any more trouble involved in bringing them to ma- 

 turity, she will forsake the other fowls or at least add ringnecks to her list. 



2. Sportsmen are learning rapidly that a great deal of sport can be 

 had in ringneck shooting at small expense through the example that is 

 being set by such organizations as the Clove Valley Rod and Gun Club, 

 as explained in a later chapter. The next few years are likely to see 

 pheasant shooting clubs spring up all over the country and, with their 

 increase, more birds will be available to meet the demand that imported 

 stock now supplies. 



PRICES OF BREEDING STOCK. Following is this fall's price list 

 (1915) of a well known and responsible dealer, the figures given being well 

 in line with prices asked by other breeders of good quality stock : 



Eggs, Dozen Birds, Pair 



Ringnecks (cocks and hens) $ 6.00 



Blue Neck $ 3.00 6.00 



Silver 5.00 10.00 



Golden 6.00 10.00 



Versicolor 12.00 15.00 



Reeves 12.00 20.00 



Lady Amherst 12.00 20.00 



Swinhoe 18.00 30.00 



Mongolian 10.00 10.00 



Manchurian 60.00 75.00 



Impeyan 80.00 100.00 



Peacock 70.00 60.00 



Prince of Wales 10.00 12.00 



Elliot's.. . 20.00 40.00 



