THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



THE FIRE-BACKED JCNGLK FOWL. 



devoid of sickle-feathers, being intermediate be- 

 tween those of the cock and the hen, the princi- 

 pal feathers being nearly straight, and not in- 

 clining to either side. 



Hybrids between the pheasant and common 

 fowl are of frequent occurrence ; but are gener- 

 ally considered to be unproductive among them- 

 selves, all being half-bred, but when paired with 

 rhe pheasant or the fowl, the case is different. 

 A correspondent in the London Agricultural Ga- 

 zette says, " After many trials of paired hy- 

 brids, I have never brought up but two to be 

 a'most hens, and they took the megrims (stag- 

 gers), and died." And yet another writer in the 

 same paper declares : "From what I have seen 



of the plumage of birds casually produced at 

 the woodside (from crossing with pheasants), J 

 believe a judicious and scientific selection would 

 lead to the production of very fine varieties, and 

 that, among others, the dark pheasant-plumed 

 breed both of game or other fowl would reward 

 the patient inquirer." 



In their general habits and manners, it is said 

 they resemble their domestic relatives ; the cock 

 proudly struts and leads his train of females, and 

 vigilantly watches over their safety. On bein<_ r 

 suddenly disturbed the troop scatter in all di- 

 rections, seeking safety under covert of the dense 

 brushwood. In spots where they are numerous, 

 the challenging of the cocks to each other 



