342 BRITISH BIRDS. 



the Common Pheasant is likewise a native of the 

 east, and is the only one of its kind that has mul- 

 tiplied in our island. Pheasants are generally 

 found in low woody places, on the borders of 

 plains, where they delight to sport: during the 

 night they roost on the branches of trees. They 

 are very shy birds, and do not associate together 

 except during the months of March and April, 

 when the male seeks the female: they are then 

 easily discoverable by the noise which they make 

 in crowing and clapping their wings, which may 

 be heard at some distance. The hen makes her 

 nest on the ground, like the Partridge, and lays 

 from twelve to fifteen olive-coloured eggs, which 

 are smaller than .those of the Domestic Hen: the 

 young follow the mother as soon as they are freed 

 from the shell. During the breeding season the 

 cock Pheasants will sometimes intermix with our 

 Common Hen, and produce a hybrid breed, of 

 which we have known several instances. 



