42 PHEASANTS 



whistle, which she uses on being frightened or 

 flushed. The second is only emitted when handled 

 and under extreme fear, like the words " ee-ac, 

 ee-ac." The third note is heard when two hens 

 are fighting, as they often do in spring. They 

 make a purring sound when angry or actually in 

 fight. When about to engage in battle, two hens 

 lower their tails, spread them, and walk round and 

 round each other, uttering this strange note. 



In the absence of any direct proof to 

 the contrary, there seems every reason to 

 suppose that among the wild races of 

 pheasants in the East, the males fight for 

 the mastery, lead away the hens they can 

 win, and are as generally polygamous in 

 their habits as we know them in this 

 country. 



The young cocks begin early in life to 

 practise their parts for the lists of love. 

 By September their first efforts to master 

 the art of crowing may be heard, and 

 from that month onwards they will fight 

 by the hour together, crouching opposite 

 each other, sparring and bobbing with 

 their heads in absurd fashion, till one sees 

 an opening and flies up suddenly to strike 



