36 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



movements of the bird are nimble ; it runs quickly, and 

 carries the wings slightly drooped and the tail somewhat 

 elevated. 



The crow of the male bird is a short loud cackle, and 

 the note of the female a shrill piping whistle. The male 

 crows at all parts of the day, and when alarmed by any 

 sudden or unexpected noise, its cry is incessant, and so 

 loud that its locality is invariably betrayed. 



Like many other of the Gallinaceous birds, the Pheasant 

 frequently breeds with birds of a different species. 

 Hybrids with the common fowl are very common in the 

 neighbourhood of preserves, especially where the smaller and 

 lighter breeds of fowls are kept. These hybrids are some- 

 times larger than either parent, and generally very wild. 

 Crosses with the beautiful Chinese varieties of pheasant 

 are fertile, and traces of these foreign strains are now 

 occasionally to be found in preserves. 



