PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



"Range. — North-western Afghanistan and North Persia. 



''Habits. — This extremely handsome species was first 

 discovered in 1884 by the members of the Afghan De- 

 limitation Commission, and the Naturalist attached to the 

 Expedition prepared some beautiful skins. Dr Aitchison 

 informs us that 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 grow- 

 ing in the bed of the river. He stated that more than four 

 hundred were killed on the march of 30 miles up the river, 

 and that the bird not only wades through the water to make 

 from one point of advantage to another, but it also swims, 

 and is apparendy quite at home in the thickets where there 

 is always water to the depth of 2 or 3 feet. These 

 swampy thickets afford good shelter, and in the morning and 

 evening the Pheasants leave it for more dry and open country, 

 where they pick up their food." 



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