54 PHEASANTS 



with the probable involuntary precautions 

 of a race of wild creatures, living under 

 natural conditions, to adjust their numbers 

 to meet their circumstances. 



The sex of the embryo in the egg is 

 certainly determined within about ten 

 days of fertilization. In all probability 

 the cock has no say in the matter, nature 

 relying' alone on the condition of the hen 

 — probably for some considerable time 

 before fertilization, as well as during the 

 shorter period after — ^to gauge what is 

 best for the race Thus if the hens be fat 

 and well-liking about this time, increase 

 is a sound business proposition for the 

 race, and experiments under these con- 

 ditions result in a large proportion of 

 females among the offspring. If, however, 

 the hens are spare and short of food, some 

 limit must be set on production, potential 

 mothers are at a discount, and a large 

 majority of the chicks should prove to be 

 cocks. 



All birds fall into two classes by the 

 manner of their birth ; those that are 



