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PHEASANTS.


By D. Seth-Smith.


The culture of the many species of Pheasants — some of

the most magnificent of the feathered tribe — appears to be less

popular with our members than other branches of aviculture.

To those, however, who can afford the space for fairly large

aviaries, the keeping and breeding of many of the most lovely

species of the Pheasant tribe is a most delightful and fascinating

hobby, and one well worthy of consideration in our Magazine.


It will, of course, be impossible to go fully into the

subject of Pheasant keeping here, but I will try to give a few

directions for the practical management in captivity of some of

the most popular species of this tribe.


Before I speak of the kinds most likely to repay the care

and attention of amateurs, it will be well to briefly consider the

most suitable aviaries in which to keep them. These should be

as large as possible and consist of two parts — an inner or

covered part composed of woodwork and well lighted, and an

outer part composed of wire netting on a wooden frame-work.

An aviary, each part of which is about twelve feet square and

proportionately high, will be suitable for one cock and his

harem ; but if the outer run be larger the birds will be all the

better for the greater amount of exercise they will thus obtain.


In this part of the aviary it will be a good plan to have,

fastened about one foot below the wire netting at the top, some

strong string netting stretched tightly across, to prevent the

b)irds from injuring themselves, if from a sudden fright they

should dash upward.


The outer part of the aviary must be thickly planted with

€vergreen-shrubs to provide plenty of cover for the birds ; for it

must be remembered that Pheasants are particularly nervous

birds and easily frightened, and if there should be no hiding-

places they will, when suddenly alarmed, dash wildly about,

damaging their plumage or perhaps breaking their necks.


The males of some species are exceedingly spiteful, and if

there is insufficient cover for the hens the latter will occasionally

"be murdered by the cocks. This savage nature of some cock

Pheasants in captivity is one of the greatest drawbacks to the

culture of Pheasants in aviaries ; it is more noticeable in some

species than in others : one of the rarest and most beautiful of

all the true Pheasants — Soemmering' s — was pronounced by the



