The Pheasant 



THE PHEASANT 



Phasianus colchicus (Linnams) 



This species is so well known that we need occupy but 

 little space in dealing with it. 



It is now generally distributed throughout our islands, 

 and was first introduced into England, to which it is not 

 an indigenous bird, from a district of South Eussia near the 

 Black Sea, at some period previous to the Norman Conquest. 

 To Scotland and Ireland it was imported during the latter 

 half of the sixteenth century. During the last hundred years 

 another species, the Chinese Eing-necked Pheasant, has been 

 imported, and has so interbred with the original birds that 

 the pure Colchian Pheasant is hardly ever shot at the 

 present day. 



The Pheasant is a woodland bird, roosting on trees and 

 roaming in the fields during the day in search of its food, 

 which consists chiefly of grain and seed, but during the 

 summer months many insects are eaten. It is polygamous, 

 and the nest is placed in thick cover on the ground ; ten to 

 twelve pale brown eggs form the usual clutch. The hen is 

 said to be a bad mother and to desert her eggs if disturbed, 

 but this has probably been largely brought about by the 

 artificial conditions under which they are now kept. 



In spite of their size and proportionately short wings, 

 they are strong fliers, and when well on the wing progress 

 at a considerable pace ; if possible, however, they generally 



279 



