PHOTOGRAVURE 49 



RING-NECKED PHEASANTS IN EASTERN CHINA 



Phasiamts colchicus pallasi Rothschild 



The pheasants of north-eastern China come down once a day to the rivers or creeks to drink, and 

 then make their way back to the rolHng grassy slopes where they nest and roost. 



There were two nests of Ring-necked Pheasants in the grassy tangle foreground of the central 

 photograph. 



A full-grown cock pheasant is hidden in the centre of the lower photograph, the beak, white collar, 

 back and upward-pointing tail feathers distinguishable. Although so brilliantly coloured, yet when partially 

 hidden by the grass its patterns and hues merged perfecdy with the lights and shadows of the vegetation. 

 The bird did not flush until approached within a io.^ yards, when it rose with a roar of wings, shot almost 

 straight upward for thirty feet, and then off along the hill in the central photograph. Two hens were 

 sitting on eggs close by. 



