THE COMMON PHEASANT. 81 



pheasant goes regularly to roost, and the abundance of a preserve 

 may easily be ascertained about twilight, by the noise which the 

 males make in flying up to their perch. During summer, how- 

 ever, and when moulting, thejKlo not tree, but squat among the 

 long grass and cover, offering tnemselves, in this way, an easy prey 

 to another class of enemies, polecats, foxes, &c. When pheasants 

 are numerous, Mr. Selby observes, " The males are, in gene- 

 ral, found associated during the winter, and separate from the 

 females ; and it is not until the end of March that they allow the 

 approach of the latter, without exhibiting signs of displeasure, 

 or, at least, of indifference. At the above-mentioned time, the 

 male assumes an altered appearance. The scarlet of his cheeks 

 and around his eyes, acquires additional depth of colour, his 

 ears become erect, and he walks with a more measured step, 

 with his wings let down, and his tail carried in a more raised 

 position. Being polygamous, he now takes possession of a certain 

 beat, from whence he drives every male intruder, and commences 

 his crowing, attended with a peculiar clapping of the wings, 

 which answers as the note of invitation to the other sex, as well 

 as of defiance to his own." During summer, the favourite food 

 of the pheasants are tender shoots of the potato and other plants, 

 and insects, witli their larvae. As the autumn advances, the 

 ripening grains of all kinds are abundant, and the ample store 

 of wild fruits and berries, which nature has everywhere provided, 

 renders this their time of feasting. As winter approaches, they 

 are reduced to less various fare, and resort to the fallows in 

 search of roots, and to turnip fields ; and Mr. Selby has remarked, 

 that the roots of the bulbous crowfoot (Ranunculus bulbosus), 

 and of the garden tulip, are both much sought after. The latter 

 they omit no opportunity of obtaining, and which, by means of 

 the bill and feet, they are almost certain to reach, however deep 

 it may be buried. In extensive preserves, during this season, 

 they are alwa} s regularly fed, and know the feeding hour and 

 call of the keeper correctly, and by this means they are prevented 

 from straying. The most successful and favourite food at these 

 times is seeds and grain. They are particularly partial to the 

 Jerusalem artichoke, and most dexterous in pecking it out of the 

 earth. This root and buckwheat constitute their most favourite 

 and wholesome food, for the winter season ; and in the most suc- 

 cessful preserves, both are propagated in patches, in any open 

 space near the cover. The month of May is the time to sow the 

 wheat, or propagate the artichoke, both of which is easily done, 

 by breaking up the sod, and laying down the bulbs for the one, or 



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