180 



CHAPTEft V. 



GAME BIRDS. 



HPHE Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) abounds on all 

 -1- the estates in the forest district, and to such an ex- 

 tent that few would credit the immense numbers. They 

 are almost as tame as barn-door fowls, and may be seen 

 on the skirts of various plantations. Carefully tended 

 and fed, and all their natural enemies destroyed, they 

 become so accustomed to the presence of man that in 

 many parts they will hardly take the trouble to get out 

 of the way, and are scarcely entitled to the appellation 

 of wild. Under circumstances so favourable they mul- 

 tiply rapidly, but a natural limit seems to be set to their 

 increase, and frequently where they are most abundant 

 large numbers are found dead without apparent cause. 

 These are always exceedingly fat, and their plumage in 

 the glossiest condition ; they seem to drop down and die 

 without a struggle. I have had them brought to me in 

 this state, and have found their flesh plump and of 

 good colour, and every feather smooth and perfect. The 

 mortality from this cause is sometimes great, but it 

 is only what might be expected when natural laws are 

 interfered with ; a farmer might as well attempt to keep 

 an unlimited stock of sheep on his pastures. A remark- 

 able instance of a similar result occurred in 1859 on Ailsa 

 Craig. For some years previous to this date, every 



