THE PHEASANT. 21 



that when cantered up to, or charged on horseback, they would run 

 across a considerable stretch of field to the preserve rather than take 

 to flight. The effect of thunder in prompting these birds to crow has 

 been noticed by some writers. I particularly remarked it on the 7th 

 April, 1833, when walking along the banks of the river Lagan. Be- 

 tween four atid five o'clock in the afternoon there were several peals of 

 thunder, at the immediate commencement of each of which many 

 pheasants in Belvoir Park loudly crowed, though quite silent that day 

 at other times. The capture of pheasants by means of the fumes of 

 sulphur is not believed in by Mr. Waterton. Although never present 

 myself at any such poaching delinquency, I have no doubt, from what 

 has been stated to me, that they are so taken, and that the vile practice 

 is resorted to on the western, as well as on the eastern side of the Irish 

 sea. Full particulars of the manner in which the birds are obtained 

 have indeed been communicated to me, but I shall not give currency 

 to them. 



I have been kindly supplied by Mr. James It. Garrett, a most ac- 

 curate observer, with the following comments : — " Mr. Yarrell has 

 stated (Brit. Birds, vol. ii. p. 315, 2nd ed.) that ' pheasants do not 

 paii - , and except during the spring, the males and females do not even 

 associate.' And Mr. Macgillivray says (Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 124,) 

 ' The female after depositing her eggs among the long grass, or under 

 the shade of a bush, having merely scraped a slight hollow which she 

 has scantily lined with leaves, is deserted by the male, and performs 

 the task of bringing forth, and leading about, the young without his 

 assistance.' 



" These observations are correct with reference to the usual habits of 

 the pheasant whilst in a semi-domesticated state, but I have on several 

 occasions known the cock to accompany the hen and her young brood, 

 ' leading them about' until the latter were able to take care of them- 

 selves. 



" In these instances the parent birds had (as the species is prone to 

 do) strayed beyond their 'preserves' at the breeding season ; and the 

 circumstance of their having paired while thus enjoying full liberty, 

 tends to confirm the view expressed by Mr. Macgillivray (Brit. Birds, 

 vol. i. p. 273), where, speaking of the rock-dove, he observes, — 'It is 

 monogamous, as I apprehend all wild birds, even the Gallinaceous, 

 are.' 



