154 PHEASANTS FOR COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



of tte Linnean Society, says: "The specimens of this 

 pheasant were all got on the banks of the Bala Murghab, 

 where it occurs in considerable numbers in the tamarisk and 

 grass jungle growing in the bed of the river. More than 

 four hundred were killed in the march of thirty miles up this 

 river. It not only wades through the water in trying to make 

 from one point of vantage to another, but swims, and seiems 

 to be quite ^t home in these thickets, where there is always 

 water to the depth of two or three feet. These swampy 

 localities afford good shelter. In the mornings and evenings 

 the pheasants leave it for the more open and dry country, 

 where they pick up their food. I believe the same species is 

 found on the Hari-rud river, but I have seen no specimens 

 from that locality." 



It is not without interest to note -that, though not yet 

 bred in Europe, the Prince of Wales' pheasant has made its 

 appearance in considerable numbers in the London markets, 

 having been imported through Russia in a frozen state, and 

 it is recorded that the late Mr. Seebohm, after having given 

 £10 for one of the original skins received from Afghanistan, 

 supplemented it the following year by a couple selected 

 from a batch of birds in Leadenhall Market and bought for a 

 few shillings. 



The introduction of this pheasant into our coverts would 

 be advantageous, not only on account of its size and plumage, 

 but still more so from the fact that, having been reared on 

 swampy ground, it would be a very desirable addition to our 

 coverts in many localities. 



