PHEASANTS 



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from the adjoining districts of Asia Minor, the range of this bird extends to fche 

 Caspian. According to the old legend the pheasant was brought by the Argonauts 

 from Colchis (the Mingrelia of to-day) to Greece, and by the Greeks carried to 

 Italy, whence it gradually spread over Europe, where it has become thoroughly 

 established in the warmer countries, such as Hungary, Austria, and Bohemia, but 

 in the colder parts is maintained only by artificial preservation. In Europe the 

 pheasant lives in woods and plantations where underwood is abundant, and is 

 specially partial to those near water. Naturally it is a ground-bird, fond of 





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PHEASANTS. 



dusting itself in sand or dust in sunny places, and finding its food chiefly on the 

 ground. While feeding it slinks quietly amid the grass from one bush to another, 

 escaping when disturbed immediately into the undergrowth. During the day 

 pheasants seldom perch on trees, although they shelter amid their branches at. 

 night. Where trees are wanting they will, however, roost contentedly in bushes. 

 Although not migratory, in autumn, when the leaves begin to fall, they take to 

 wandering about the country to a considerable extent. 



For nesting the hen chooses a quiet spot in some thicket but she will also lay 

 under low bushes amid grass, clover, or even corn, the nest being always well 



