THE COMMON PHEASANT 



103 



chiefly terrestrial in habits, and when alarmed takes short rapid 

 flight. The birds are polygamous, the males and females consorting 

 together during the breeding-time, which occurs in spring. The 

 males assemble and feed together during winter, but each selects 

 his bevy of mates in spring. The eggs are olive-brown in colour, 

 and number twelve or fourteen, the simple or rude nest being 

 formed amid long grass or at the base of a bush, the female 

 performing the entire duties of incubation, also care of the young 



FIG. 65. THE COMMON PHEASANT. 



birds. The young pheasants are able to run about and provide 

 for themselves on leaving the egg, their food consisting of soft 

 herbage and insects, and as the birds grow, seeds, berries, and roots 

 are added to their dietary. Soon they take to the fields, where 

 they feed upon grain, peas and beans ; later in the season acorns and 

 other wild fruits in hedgerows and thickets are laid under contribu- 

 tion, and in winter they obtain a precarious subsistence in woods, 



