Introduction. 



upwards of twenty years ago when I first commenced 

 breeding Gold pheasants ; my space was very limited, 

 but I contrived to rear a great many birds, and to 

 prove the fallacy of what was then believed, viz., 

 that birds of a year old would not breed. After a time, 

 I purchased a pair of Lady Amhersts, giving 16 

 for them. 1 believe I was one of the earliest to 

 breed these elegant birds, and for some years I was 

 most successful. Next I went in for Reeves', Versi- 

 colors, Swinhoes, Firebacks, Impeyans, Peacocks, and 

 lastly for our most recent importation, and the rarest 

 and the handsomest of all, the Elliot. 



In the following chapters I propose to give, as 

 explicitly as possible, the plan I adopt for rearing 

 and keeping the several varieties. The best forms of 

 aviaries, setting-boxes, coops, runs or inclosures, the 

 general management, &c., will be fully treated. After 

 that, I intend to describe the most popular varieties, 

 and to indicate any special treatment they require. 



I take it for granted that few persons would think 

 of commencing pheasant-breeding later than June. I 

 do not say a pair of Gold pheasants, for example, 

 obtained as late as that, would not breed, but the 

 chances are greatly against their doing so. It is 

 recommended to obtain the birds early in the spring, 

 and not to defer it till the season is far advanced, 

 for the birds then never settle down so well. 



B 2 



