PHEASANT. 67 



manner of the partridge. When Pheasants are accustomed 

 to be fed by keepers, they come eagerly to the call which 

 announces to them the presence of their food ; but by being 

 always chased by dogs, and fired at, when they take wing, 

 by sportsmen, the birds in question become shy and ner- 

 vous. The smallest object in motion startles the hen Phea- 

 sant from the nest, but, when real danger is at hand, she 

 remains as if lifeless upon it. A Pheasant sneaks or runs 

 among long grass with a wonderful swiftness, and the distance 

 it thereby keeps from a sportsman in pursuit of a bird thus 

 circumstanced, after having been put up once, is very re- 

 markable. A Pheasant is a helpless bird in some instances, 

 as in flood time on the banks of rivers : it has been known 

 that a bird of this species will rather run farther into the 

 danger than try to get out of it, and awaits its fate with 

 patient stupidity, without the least attempt to extricate 

 itself. 



Although the Pheasant thrives very well in Britain, 

 yet, its natural and original climate being much warmer, 

 sharp frost and snow of some continuance destroy many of 

 them, as their food is hid by the snow, and the birds die 

 from starvation. It is consequently very advisable that 

 game-keepers should carefully feed the Pheasants, and keep 

 them supplied with water, several times during each day in 

 very frosty weather ; and, if possible, construct warm hiding- 

 places for these birds, for which purpose dry fern branches, 

 laid on light sprigs of dry wood, form the most accept- 

 able and natural covering, to which the birds are most likely 

 to run for shelter ; and, in order to entice them to such a 

 place, a continued train of raisins will lead them to it as 

 soon as anything. Where such precautions are not taken, 

 the chances are much against their preservation in severe 

 winters. 



In the spring of the year the cock Pheasant struts 



F 2 



