196 PHEASANTS FOR COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



out afterwards. The hybrids between the Reeves's and the 

 common species are generally supposed to be sterile, which 

 may be regarded as a point in their favour rather than other- 

 wise, as no mongrel crosses would be introduced, and Reeves's 

 pheasant could be confined to those regions to which by its 

 size and habits it is specially adapted. With regard to its 

 beauty and magnificence there can be no doubt, and Lord 

 Lilford speaks practically as to its value as a bird for the 

 table, but I have never had the opportunity of testing its 

 value in this respect. 



The most important communication respecting the value 

 of the Reeves's pheasant as a game bird, and its rearing in 

 the forests of mountainous districts, was made to the Field on 

 February 8, 1896, by Mr. J. G. Millais. This was accompanied 

 by a most graphic sketch of the flight of the bird, which he 

 has kindly given me permission to reproduce. His letter is 

 as follows : 



" I noticed a letter by Mr. Tegetmeier in the .Field of 

 January 25, on the desirability of establishing Reeves's 

 pheasant as a British game bird ; and as I have seen and shot 

 several of these birds at home, perhaps my observations 011 

 the species may be of some interest. 



" There is no game bird, I think, in the world, which, if 

 introduced into suitable localities, would give greater pleasure 

 to both the sportsman and the naturalist than this grand 

 pheasant ; for grand he certainly is, both to the eye as well 

 as the object of aim to the expectant shooter. We all know, 

 when a cock Reeves's pheasant attains his full beauty and 

 length of tail, what a splendid bird he is as he struts about in 

 his gorgeous trappings, and shows himself off for the benefit 

 of his lady-love, but when the same bird is launched in the 

 air, and dashes along above the highest trees of a wild Scotch 

 landscape, leaving poor old Colchicus to scurry at what seems 

 but a slow pace behind him, I can assure your readers that 

 both the dignity and the pace are alike wonderful, and a sight 

 not easily to be forgotten. 



