POULTRY TRIBE. 249 



licence from government to be permitted to shoot 

 it. Its preservation is considered to be owing to 

 the vast care and expense bestowed upon it by 

 our great landed proprietors, by whom it is held 

 in high estimation not only on account of its 

 beauty but also because of its interest to the 

 sportsman. At the same time the price it com- 

 mands as an article of food makes it a tempting 

 object to the lawless pursuit of the poacher. 



The pheasant commences laying in April, and 

 hatches its young towards the end of May. Its 

 principal food is grain and seeds, and it is fond of 

 acorns and various berries and green plants. Mr. 

 Selby mentions that the root of the common 

 buttercup is much sought after by the pheasant, 

 and forms a great portion of its food during the 

 months of May and June. Boiled potatoes and 

 beans are the best nourishment for it in the 

 winter. 



These birds have certain habits which make 

 them an easy prey to the poacher. The never- 

 failing morning and evening notice which they 

 give by their crowing and whistling discover 

 their roosting-plaees. They are also in some 

 respects stupid birds, and on being roused will 

 often perch on a neighbouring tree and fix their 

 attention so wholly on the dogs that the sports- 

 man may approach very near without observation. 



