PREFACE. 



. AVING seen much of the Pheasant family in captivity, I have ventured to 

 write the present work, which first appeared as a series of articles in 

 The Feathered World, in order to point out to fanciers how easily kept 

 ^j3 and how numerous are these birds. 



A great deal is talked about the beauty of Birds of Paradise and Humming- 

 birds, but these are not to be compared to Pheasants, even if they were readily 

 obtainable. It seems to me, therefore, that it is high time that these latter became 

 better known to the public at large, though some have long been appreciated by a few. 



As Partridges are rarely kept, and Quails have to be relegated to the company 

 of small birds, I have nob dealt with them ; but I have discussed all the best known 

 Pheasants, together with the ancestors of our domestic poultry and their relatives. 



FRANK FINN. 

 London, 1901. 



