PHEASANTS. 279 



From the time of its capture in June, till August, 

 when it was sold to a nobleman for thirty-one guineas, it was 

 never seen to drink ; indeed, after the first three weeks, water 

 Mas never given to it. A second instance of one of these birds 

 attacking a human being occurred about a fortnight afterwards, 

 near the same spot, and under circumstances very similar. The 

 horse, however, took fright, became unmanageable at so unex- 

 pected an attack, and ran away with his rider. 



It has been often doubted whether the Pheasant will breed 

 with the common Hen ; but the following account from a 

 highly respectable authority,* seems to set the question at rest, 

 and deserves the attention of those who are interested in the 

 improvement of their race of poultry. 



In the autumn of 1 8 2 6, a wandering Pheasant made its appear- 

 ance in a small valley of the Grampians, the first of the species 

 ever noticed so far north in that part of the country. For some 

 time it was only occasionally observed, and its presence actually 

 doubted. Winter wants, however, brought it more frequently 

 into notice ; and in due season more unequivocal proofs became 

 apparent : for, when the chicken broods of common poultry 

 came forth and approached to maturity, no small admiration 

 was excited by certain stately, long-tailed, game-looking birds 

 standing forth amongst them, and continuing to grow in size 

 and beauty, until all doubts of direct relationship with the 

 Pheasant effectually vanished. These hybrids partook largely 

 of the character of the parent stranger; and, as they were 

 found to grow to a good size, and possess hardy constitutions, 

 a useful and agreeable variety for the poultry-yards was secured, 

 in a thus simple and unlooked-for manner. These hybrids, 

 however, are not fertile. 



Pheasants are not what is termed indigenous in this country 

 — that is, originally produced or bred here — but were imported 

 from the Eastern countries, to which they are chiefly confined. 

 Their short wings and heavy bodies are little calculated for 

 long flights, which may, in a great measure, account for their 

 remaining so long in one particular part of the world, and 

 explain the cause why none have yet been found in America. 

 * Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, No. v. 



