PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



which recommend its introduction. For instance, it will 

 correct any tendency towards sluggishness of the birds on 

 the wing, being, as previously stated, a particularly sharp bird 

 in this respect. It possesses no objectionable qualities, and 

 when a species of Pheasant is free from such, there can be 

 nothing against its introduction into a covert. 



Versicolor Hybrids 



It is not necessary to say very much concerning Japanese 

 Pheasant hybrids, as the matter has already been considered 

 when speaking of P. Versicolor in the chapter devoted to 

 this bird. This species of Pheasant as a hybrid with 

 Colchicus, or even for the production of hybrids from the 

 common ring-necked birds, is by the majority of Pheasant- 

 raisers regarded as a failure. 



As stated elsewhere, it is not wanted in the coverts, 

 and any qualities that it does confer are of too evanescent a 

 character to justify one to encourage its usage. Whatever 

 can be done with it must be in association with a strong 

 stock of Mongolians. 



Albino and Pied Pheasants 



In the coverts it is not at all uncommon to shoot birds 

 with white feathers freely interspersed amongst the rest of 

 the plumage, but the degree of such albinism varies con- 

 siderably from a mere sprinkling to one of complete trans- 

 formation, though pure white birds are certainly uncommon 

 in the coverts, unless introduced from without. Importers 

 of game birds supply Albino Pheasants, and many gentlemen 

 purchase several pairs of these birds for turning down in the 



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