PHEASANT. RASORES. PHASIANUS. 419 



perfected by the middle of the following month, and after 

 this period the young males are only to be distinguished 

 from the older birds by the comparative shortness and blunt- 

 ness of the tarsal spur. 



In many of the large preserves of Pheasants in the south- 

 ern counties of England, the breed is supported by great 

 numbers being hatched under domestic fowls, and reared in 

 confinement ; then set at liberty as soon as they are fully able 

 to provide for themselves. But, in the northern counties, 

 this mode of replenishing the stock is seldom attempted, as 

 these birds are prepared, by their natural economy, to in- 

 crease very rapidly, and will do so wherever due attention is 

 paid to their preservation. It would appear, indeed, that 

 the northern parts of the kingdom are particularly suitable 

 to them, as they are making considerable progression, and 

 have, within a comparatively short space of time, spread 

 themselves over the whole county of Northumberland. In 

 this district the ring-necked variety is most prevalent, and 

 has nearly superseded the common kind. 



The principal food of the Pheasant in the winter months Food, 

 is grain and seeds, but in spring and summer it lives more 

 upon roots and insects. I have observed that the root of the 

 Bulbous Crowfoot (Ranunculus bulbosus), a common but 

 acrid meadow plant, is particularly sought after by this bird, 

 and forms a great portion of its food during the months of 

 May and June. The root of the garden tulip is also an ar- 

 ticle of diet, which it omits no opportunity of obtaining, and 

 which, by means of its bill and feet, it is almost certain to 

 reach, however dee}) it may be buried. 



The Pheasant, like most of the gallinaceous tribe, is very 

 liable (especially in a state of confinement) to the disease 

 called the Gapes (provincially, in Northumberland, the Nax) y 

 so destructive to broods of chickens and young turkeys in 

 particular situations. It is occasioned by an intestinal worm 

 of the genus Fasciola (the Fasciola Trachea of MONTAGU), 

 which, lodging in the trachea, adheres by a kind of sucker 



Dd 2 



