PHEASANT. 185 



Sussex is, that in 1245 the Gustos of the Bishopric of 

 Chichester was ordered to send to the King for his use at 

 Easter among other game, twenty-four Pheasants (see Sussex 

 Archeeological Collections, vol. xvii. p. 118). There are now 

 many large preserves in the county, and Pheasants are spread 

 over it in all suitahle places. As a rule they roost in .high 

 trees, hut if disturhed they will not rise from the ground 

 again the same night, concealing themselves under some thick 

 hush till morning. 



A clap of thunder, or any violent explosion, will cause all 

 cock Pheasants within hearing to crow. They are poly- 

 gamous, and their usual nesting-place is on the ground, 

 though, in a few instances, they have heen known to take to 

 the deserted nest of a crow, or the, drey of a squirrel. 



They will, not unfrequently, hreed with the Domestic Fowl, 

 and when the Black Grouse was to he found in Sussex, there 

 have heen a few instances of their crossing with it. The hen 

 Pheasant has heen often found to lay its eggs in the nest of 

 the Partridge. 



In the nuptial season the cocks fight desperately, so much 

 so that I once witnessed a fierce and prolonged comhat, which 

 resulted in the death of one, and the retirement of the other 

 in a very dilapidated state; the former I picked up and 

 carried home. 



The Pheasant feeds on insects and their larvae, particularly 

 on the wire-worm, and on com, peas, and acorns. It also 

 digs up and eats the roots of many plants, and, in gardens, 

 is very destructive to tulips and crocuses. Numerous berries 

 also form a large portion of its diet. It is very fond 

 of the fruit of the snowherry, Symphoria racemosa, and of 

 that of the Berberis acuifolia, and much appreciates salt. It 

 is subject to great variation of plumage, white and pied birds 

 being often met with. The variety called Bohemian is found 

 in a few preserves. 



