172 OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



of its having been killed by the hen, on renewing 

 its attempt to get at more of the eggs.* 



PHEASANT.f 



May 24, 1827. A HEN PHEASANT was picked up 

 this morning, near its nest, dead, but still warm. 

 There was no appearance of any external injury. On 

 opening the crop, we found it stuffed quite full 

 with the blossoms and roots of the common butter- 

 cup (Ranunculus bulbosus), which had been swallow- 

 ed whole, and did not appear to be the least changed. 

 At first we thought this circumstance had something 

 to do with the death of the individual; but upon 

 inquiry learnt that these birds were in the habit 

 of feeding upon the roots of this plant, strong and 

 acrid as it is, during the spring and summer 

 months. J 



The cock pheasant sometimes exhibits marks of 

 great daring and fierceness, even attacking man. I 

 was once staying with a friend, who had a bird 

 of this character in the plantations near his house, 



* A somewhat similar case of a tt combat between a hen and 

 a rat" is recorded in London's Mag. of Nat. Hist. vol. ix. p. 105. 



t Phasianus colchicus, Linn. 



J I find Mr. Selby also mentions, in his Illustrations of British 

 Ornithology; that he has observed that the root of the bulbous 

 crowfoot (Ranunculus bulbosus) is particularly sought after by the 

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

 of May and June. 



