

1 1 Pheasants. 



well alongside one another. It must be further noted 

 that the tendency is, where the Dark-necked birds prove the 

 more suitable, for the Ring-necked ones, when crossed with 

 them, to lessen the general size of the birds. This is 

 obviously an outcome to be avoided. 



In connection with this matter it is well to remember that 

 the Ring-necked bird is the stronger element in any cross, 

 and that a few cock birds of this species will imprint their 

 mark upon the whole stock of a preserve, not only in the 

 first but in the second crosses. In the same way hens of 

 this species will throw a preponderance of Ring-necked 

 marked birds amongst their progeny. This inconsequential 

 crossing of the two breeds is far from being beneficial to 

 the general stock of pheasants, and it would be well if 

 preservers would make a point of endeavouring to maintain 

 a pure strain of one species or the other in their coverts. 



The occurrence of white specimens is not infrequent 

 amongst the ordinary pheasants; whilst pied birds are 

 of still more frequent occurrence. The white birds 

 are extremely pretty. As a rule, they are smaller and less 

 strong than the others, whilst the eggs from them usually 

 embrace a large percentage of unfertile ones. This colour- 

 ing as well as that of the pied birds is mainly a sport, and 

 pheasants of this kind cannot be relied upon to reproduce 

 their peculiar plumage in their offspring, even when mated 

 together. 



Crosses between the Japanese and either of the common 

 pheasants invariably largely reflect the former parent- 

 age. The male P. versicolor is extremely fertile, and will 

 impregnate a far larger number of hens than any other 

 pheasant hitherto tried in British coverts. There is no 

 doubt that wherever the country suits it the Japanese 

 Pheasant is a very valuable addition to our list of game- 

 birds. It is hardy, vigorous, and when crossed with 



