By Ferd. J. Svdow, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 



15 



General History and Management of Pheasants 



Pheasant breeding in the United States is still in its infancy, although it has become 

 quite popular in the east of late years and will soon be prominently introduced all over the 

 country. The pheasant is of a most noble and beautiful form, attractive head, stout bill, 

 short wings, elegant long tail adorned with brilliant golden spangled plumage. One breed 

 more beautiful than others. Printers cannot describe pheasants; an artist can only give a 

 faint idea of these gorgeous birds with their magnificent combination of colors, and the most 

 graceful figure, style and action. Anyone having a high appreciation of the beautiful can- 

 not fail to be an admirer only, but a true pheasant fancier. A visit to an aviary containing 

 varieties of the pheasant family will convince you that they are not a picture dream, but one 

 of Nature's charms to the eye. They are of anciei\t origin and they have been found in many 

 parts in the world. 



FEATHERS OF THE GREAT ARGUS PHEASANT 



The pheasant will eat almost anything, — grain, herbage, roots, berries, insects, — small 

 food of any kind. Ants are the most favorite food and the chief support of the young. 

 They also eat green weeds, tender shoots of grass, cabbage, young clover, wild cress. They 

 relish grapes, and in the fall of the year, ripe seeds are their chief food. 



In Oregon, where Ringneck Pheasants were set at liberty about thirty years ago, they 

 have become quite common. Their favorite haunts are low grounds near fields of grain. 

 They are very prolific, — a pair will hatch from forty to fifty eggs and raise most all the young. 



An interesting fact is that the Golden Pheasants have also become wild in Oregon and 

 the flesh is found very white and tender. A Golden Pheasant is a great ornamental aviary 

 bird, and to a country estate, it is difficult to imagine any greater attraction. 



In the .Eastern States, Ringneck Pheasants are, in certain localities, doing very well. 

 As many as three thousand birds have been reared and turned out by a single keeper, and 

 the pheasant is generally regarded as the future game bird of the country. The bird can 

 stand, not only the extreme heat of summer, but the severe cold and blizzards of winter. 

 A number of game clubs have been formed for their protection, and large numbers are now 

 raised on Long Island preserves. They are also branching out in many parts of New Jersey, 

 Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Colorado. All game commissioners 

 are encouraging their breeding, and the outlook for the handsomest and most delicious 

 game bird is quite rosy in this country. 



Beautiful postal cards in colors of Pheasants, Ducks, Game, etc., 40c per 50, 

 and a scheme how to make money "Quick", by mail, goes with them. 



FERD. J. SUDOW, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 



