122 A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS 



In the autumn the birds often spend the middle of the day on the top of the low 

 hills, and feed in early morning and late afternoon. Choice of locality in general depends 

 upon suitable feeding for the particular season, freedom from attack by ground vermin, 

 and presence of concealing shelter. 



The voice of the Ring-neck differs in no way from that of its relatives to the west 

 and north, and but little from the calls of our domestic fowls. In the spring the cock 

 pheasant summons his mate or mates to share or appropriate some especially delectable 

 morsel of food. The accompanying movement is a picking up and dropping of the food, 

 thus calling it to visual attention, while, at the same time, a low chuckle or crooning 

 sound is uttered. 



When suddenly frightened, and during the first few frantic wing-beats, a loud, 

 piercing cackle or series of squawks is given. As a complete antithesis, when the birds 

 are settling quietly down for their night's roost, a sweet, low, content song is sometimes 

 given with closed bill. The challenge crow of the cock is the familiar kok-cack 1 

 repeated several times, usually with the accompanying wing whirr. This latter is less 

 developed than in the silver and kaleege pheasants, but is constantly used, not only in 

 connection with the challenge and mating call, but to express emotion, such as suspicion 

 or curiosity. 



Young cocks of the year begin, weakly and tremulously, to crow about September, 

 and attain their vocal goal in October, in which month they begin more or less sham 

 combats with their fellows. 



From the end of February to June the cock pheasants crow at daylight. Later in 

 the morning the call changes to a lower cackle, apparently a summons to the hens, or 

 guiding call to the feeding-grounds. During the heat of the day the birds are silent. 

 From August to the end of October occurs another vocal season. 



The alarm note of the hen, given at the sight of hawks or kestrels, is similar to that 

 of a bantam, and the chicks vanish at once. The cluck of reassurance or summons to 

 food is low, but not unlike that of a domestic hen. All notes are given on the ground, 

 except when a bird is suddenly frightened from a tree, when it gives voice to the wild 

 staccato cackling, expressing great fear. 



The chicks eat little for the first day or two, and then they are usually led to low 

 grass or dead leaves, where an abundance of small spiders and insects furnishes the 

 primary diet. After about ten days, succulent young grass and the tops of young rice 

 may be found in their crops, but not until after six weeks do they take seeds of grass 

 and weeds. The mother chooses a well-concealed spot for the nightly shelter, and 

 spends no two nights in the same place. If one or more rotten eggs in the nest happen 

 to get broken, the hen may return to the vicinity for a few days, attracted by the swarm 

 of flies and other insects drawn by the odour of the yolk. But the odour of the newly 

 emerged brood is in sharp contrast to the total lack of scent of the sitting bird, and the 

 danger of weasels being attracted is too great for any continued remaining in the 

 vicinity. Little by little, as the young become stronger, they are led toward the hill- 

 sides and denser cover, and then the dewdrops cease to provide sufficient moisture, and 

 the daily trips are inaugurated to the nearest water supply. In some cases, at least, the 

 hens of a certain district left their broods once or twice a day to fly alone to water for 

 a short drink. 



