HYBRIDS AND HYBRIDISATION 



the young ones astray, so that what with amorous overtures 

 towards the hens, and the not infrequent damage to the 

 chicks, as well as establishing precedent towards straying, it 

 becomes the solemn duty of the keeper to see that his work is 

 not outwitted by the presence of too many male birds in the 

 coverts. Some keepers make a practice of catching up the 

 young cock birds in sufficient number, and keeping these in 

 pens until satisfied that they have made a clean sweep of 

 surplus male birds. When this has been done the penned 

 cock birds are released, and in doing so, it is necessary to 

 let the birds go into the same coverts from which they were 

 originally taken, otherwise the object in view will probably 

 be defeated. 



It is customary now on many game preserves to turn down 

 a few Reeves' cocks and hens in order to improve the plumage 

 of the birds in the coverts as well as the strength and speed 

 of flight, the Reeves' Pheasant being one of the most remark- 

 able birds when on the wing. 



A good deal of discussion has taken place concerning the 

 fertility or otherwise of Reeves' hybrids, and the matter must 

 still be considered as sub judice. The Reeves are certainly 

 beautiful birds, and they will hybridise not only with other 

 members of the same genus {Phasiaiius), but with those 

 belonging to other genera, such as that of Tkaumalea, 

 Euplocamus, etc. It is not advisable, in the author's opinion, 

 in view of the uncertain fertility of the hybrid, to introduce 

 many Reeves' into the coverts, excepting in game preserves 

 in mountainous localities, where the trees are tall, and the 

 birds have practically an unlimited range of flight— ideal con- 

 ditions for Reeves' Pheasants to exist in. 



In the aviary, the production of hybrids having magnifi- 

 cent plumage, tlaough sterile, has not the significance attach- 

 able to the covert bird, or at anyrate, such as are expressly 



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