Koklass-Pheasa nts. 315 



that more than two old birds are found 

 together; and at whatever season, when 

 one is found, its mate may almost to a 

 certainty be found somewhere near. 

 This would lead one to imagine that 

 many pairs do not separate after the 

 business of incubation is over, but keep 

 paired for several successive years. In 

 forests where there is little grass or 

 underwood, they get up as soon as aware 

 of the approach of any one near, or run 

 quickly along the ground to some dis- 

 tance; but where there is much cover 

 they lie very close and will not get up 

 till forced by dogs or beaters. When 

 put up by dogs, they often fly up into a 

 tree close by, which they rarely do when 

 flushed by beaters or the sportsman him- 

 self, then flying a long way and generally 

 alighting on the ground. Their flight is 

 rapid in the extreme, and after a few 

 whirs they sometimes shoot down like 

 lightning. They sometimes utter a few 

 low chuckles before getting up, and rise 

 sometimes with a low screeching chatter 

 and sometimes silently. The males often 

 crow at daybreak and occasionally at all 

 hours." 



The Koklass breeds from April to June 

 and deposits from five to nine eggs in a 



