286 . PHEASANTS, 



brought it more frequently into notice ; and in due season 

 more unequivocal proofs became apparent: for when the 

 chicken broods of common poultry came forth, and ap- 

 proached to maturity, no small admiration was excited by 

 certain statety, long-tailed, game-looking birds standing 

 forth amongst them, and continuing to grow in size and 

 beauty, until all doubts of direct relationship with the 

 Pheasant effectually vanished. These hybrids partook 

 largely of the character of the parent stranger ; and as they 

 were found to grow to a good size, and possess hardy con- 

 stitutions, a useful and agreeable variety for the poultry- 

 yards was secured, in a thus simple and unlooked-for 

 manner. 



Pheasants are not what is termed indigenous in this 

 country, that is, originally produced or bred here; but 

 were imported from the eastern countries, to which they are 

 chiefly confined. Their short wings arid heavy bodies are 

 little calculated for long flights, which may, in a great mea- 

 sure, account for their remaining so long in one particular 

 part of the world, and explain the cause why none have yet 

 been found in America. But as they are very plentiful 

 layers, a pair belonging to a gentleman near Dover having 

 been known, in one season, to lay the extraordinary number 

 of one hundred and eighty -three eggs, and may, with proper 

 attention, be easily reared, we see no reason why they may 

 not be successfully introduced, and abundantly supply any 

 country in the world. 



The following directions for rearing them under hens have 

 been, we know, adopted with success : A sufficient number of 

 eggs being provided, put them under a hen that has kept her 

 nest for three or four days ; and, if two or three hens happen 

 to sit on the same day, an opportunity will be afforded of 

 shifting the good eggs. At the end of ten or twelve days, 

 examine, and throw away those that are bad, and set the 

 same hen or hens again, if sitting hens should be numerous. 

 The hens having sat their full time, such of the young 

 Pheasants as are already hatched must be put into a basket, 

 with a piece of flannel, till the hen has done hatching. Then 



