NORTH AMERICAN BIRD 8. 



181 



* * RING-NECKRD PHEASANT, Phasianus torquatus. (Cheney del.) 



This is the bird which so very much resembles the domestic turkey, but is more 

 brilliant in color. It is a constant resident in suitable localities throughout Eastern 

 United States. It occurs as far north as Canada; is probably extinct in New 

 England, and is found as far northwest as the Missouri river, and southwest as 

 Texas. But this grand bird is rapidly becoming exterminated, not only as it is in 

 New England, but in other sections of the country. In Ohio it was formerly an 

 abundant resident, breeding throughout the State; now quite unknown in the more 

 thickly settled portions, but still common in some of the northwestern counties. 

 Dr. Kirtland (1850) mentions the time when Wild Turkeys were more common than 

 tame ones are now. Mr. Thomas Mcllwraith, in his admirable work on the Birds of 

 Ontario, says that within the recollection of people still living, Wild Turkeys were 

 comparatively common along the southwestern border of Ontario, and that the day 

 is not far distant when this bird will be sought for in vain in the provinces.* Mr. 

 Edwin C. Davis reports the Wild Turkey to be very common in the vicinity of 

 Gainesville, Texas, hundreds being brought to market and sold during the winter 

 months. The nests of this bird, he says, are very difficult to discover, as they are 

 made on the ground, midst tall, thick weeds or tangled briers. The female will not 

 leave the nest until almost trodden upon. Mr. Davis states that when the eggs are 

 once touched the female will abandon her nest. The eggs are rich, dark cream color, 

 thickly sprinkled with rounded spots of rusty-brown or umber. The number laid 

 varies from nine to eighteen, commonly nine to twelve. Some writers say ten 

 to twenty and twenty-four, but I have never seen this number in a set. Four typical 

 specimens collected in Morrow county, Ohio, May 10, 1884, measure 2.54x2, 2.56x1.95, 

 2.56x1.97, 2.69x1.94. The average size of a large series, 2.55x1.80. 



* The Birds of Ontario, pp. 130-131. 



