FOES OF THE PHEASANT. 189 



would always rise and fly before we got in killing range of 

 it. Then again, I recollect once, while Partridge shooting, 

 of springing a single Pheasant out in the open field near 

 the Monocacy River. The nearest wood to this point was 

 on the Linganqre Hills, about two miles distant. The bird 

 escaped from me by flying across the river. One month 

 afterward I traoed this same bird, by sportsmen springing 

 it from place to place, and from time to time, through Fred- 

 erick Valley, until the bird was driven to the Catoctin 

 Mountains, about six miles distant. These birds had stray- 

 ed from the woods and lost their way and did not know 

 which course to pursue in order to return. 



FOES OF THE PHEASANT. 



|HE Pheasant has many foes to contend with, inde- 

 pendent of man, that continually haunt and lurk in 

 their wake: The red and gray Fox; the roving, 

 rambling Mink, travelling its rounds in the darkness 

 of night; the industrious, enterprising little "Weasel, search- 

 ing every nook, hole and corner for its prey ; the fidgity 

 Raccoon, with his acute sense of smell ; the quiet, sneak- 

 ing Polecat; these animals all prey upon the Pheasant 

 whenever an opportunity oifers, and they destroy a large 

 number of these birds, both young and old. There are 

 several species of birds which also prey upon the Pheasant, 

 and attack them whenever a favorable chance is presented. 

 The large Chicken Hawk carries off the strongest and old- 

 est birds. The Pigeon Hawk, (Falco columbarius}, this 

 quick-flighted, daring guerilla preys upon the Pheasant, 

 and there is no animal or bird whose attack is more fatal, 

 than that of this quick-flighted assassin. The American 

 Crow is a great foe of the Pheasant. This nest robber de- 



