Practical Game-Preserving. 10 



fact that where it is proposed to introduce the Japanese 

 upon a preserve, the pure-bred stock should be kept in 

 pens for breeding purposes, the surplus birds being 

 turned away. Once this has been done, they intermingle 

 so freely with other breeds that it is unlikely that any 

 further pure-bred birds will be produced, although of 

 course it is not impossible. Their management in pens 

 is practically the same as with the ordinary breeds. 



Naturally, with such a variety of birds of very similar 

 species coming into connection with one another in the 

 woodlands and coverts, the value of each species as game- 

 birds becomes a matter of some importance, as does also 

 the question of crosses between the respective species. It 

 is therefore necessary to devote some attention to these 

 matters in order that the game-preserver may be able to 

 arrive at a correct decision upon such matters should 

 occasion arise. 



In recent years the Ring-necked Pheasant received for 

 some reason what must be described as an inordinate 

 amount of favour. Subsequently, favour returned to the 

 Dark-necked bird. Each possesses certain merits. The 

 first-named is possibly more prolific, the latter is the larger 

 and better bird. Indiscriminate crossing has been held 

 to combine the qualities in which they respectively excel. 

 The probability is, however, that the commingling of the 

 breeds, without reference to pureness of stock, exerts a 

 far from beneficial effect upon the resulting progeny, the 

 birds deteriorating in form and stamina. As a matter of 

 fact, there is very little to choose between the two, provided 

 the strains in both cases are well maintained and subject 

 to regular infusions of fresh true blood when occasion 

 requires. It will be found, however, that each species 

 in its turn thrives better in every respect in some districts 

 than does the other; whilst, again, they will do equally 



