THE PHEASANT— THE PARTRIDGE— THE OSTRICH. 219 



located either on the groaud or in boxoB filled with damp earth. Before the 

 young ones are due the nest must be enclosed with boards, or anything that 

 comes to hand, for young pheasants, unlike chickens, run away from the hen if 

 disturbed. They must be confined to the coop for about two days by means of 

 the ' keep,' by which time they will have learned the hen's call, and then they 

 must be allowed their liberty, or it will be impossible to rear them. If anything 

 alarms them they will run to the nearest bush or hedge, but will soon return if 

 left quite alone. They may be allowed their liberty till about the time they 

 commence moulting their tails ; this is generally my guide as to when to place 

 them in confinement. They should be fed on a mixture of meal and boiled 

 meat, chopped fine, the more of the latter the better, and if the weather is cold 

 or wet, mix a little pepper with the food. If they have access to grass they will 

 require nothing more but some pure water, kept in the shade ; if no grass is near 

 they must be supplied with green food." 



In France pheasants are reared in large numbers for the Paris market, and 

 there ants' eggs are a favorite food. In default of these, meat or flour maggots 

 are bred for the purpose. 



4. The Impeyam, Pheasant, which is a native of the Indian jungles, on account 

 of its large size and beautiful plumage, should at least be added to the aviaries 

 of our pnblie parks. It is about as large as a hen-tui'key ; its plumage is chiefly 

 of iridescent hues of green, steel-blue, violet and bronze, and it has a crest simi- 

 lar to that of the peacock. 



5. The S^niice Paltridge is'a species of grouse, which was formerly common 

 in Kew England, but is now seldom seen south of Canada. Its habits are very 

 similar to those of other species of grouse. 



6. The Virgmia Partridge is a similar species, whidi is found in more southern 

 localities, and has many of the habits of the common fowl, although it has been 

 found to be less inclined to breed fti confinemeut than the grouse ; while there 

 are various species of quail, which, though small in size, are worth cultivating 

 in certain sections. A great drawback to the cultivation of these wild birds is 

 the propensity of every fellow who can handle a gun to shoot everything that 

 can fly, and but little headway can be made until this propensity is held in check 

 by salutary laws. 



Next to the gallinaceous birds the closely related Ostrich family would seem 

 to be most worthy of attention. This family is represented by several species, 

 chiefly natives of the southern hemisphere. It is of special interest to the nat- 

 •ralist from possessing the largest representatives of the feathered kingdom ; 

 the common ostrich sometimes attaining a height of eight feet and a weight of 

 three hundred pounds, while remains of extinct species have been found which 

 indicate a very much larger growth in pre-historic times. Another point of in- 

 terest is that the family seems to be becoming extinotj two species, the Dodo, 

 if Mauritius, and the Solitaire, of Eoderiguez, have disappeared within com- 

 paratively recent times, and evidences are found of the existence during the 

 present geological age of other birds probably belonging to the same family. 



Whether domestication can overcome this tendency to extinctionisaquestion 

 not yet thoroughly settled. As previously stated, it is quite generally believed 

 that the parent form of the Chinese goose (Aneer cygnoidea) is now extinct, and 



