T4- 



PREFACE. 



DETAILED ACCOUNT of the natural history, 

 habits, food, and treatment of the various species 

 of Pheasants had long been a desideratum ; this 

 book was projected with a view to supply the want 

 in a more complete and comprehensive form than 

 had hitherto been attempted. The extremely favour- 

 able reception which the previous editions met with, not 

 only from the reviewers, but also from the general public, 

 showed that the demand for such information was not 

 over-estimated, whilst the opinions expressed by many of 

 our highest authorities have led me to believe that the 

 endeavour to combine ornithological research with practical 

 experience in the management of this group of birds was 

 not unattended with success. 



In the following work I have given the natural history 

 and general practical management, not only of the pheasantg 

 strictly adapted for the covert, but also of the allied species, 

 which are the best adapted to our aviaries. 



The progress of scientific exploration is continually 

 bringing to light species of pheasants hitherto unknown; 

 some of these are well suited to our coverts, whilst others 

 are regarded as ornamental birds. Some years since the 

 only pheasant breeding wild in England was the common 

 species (Phasianus colchicus) ; our coverts now possess the 



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