FOREIGN PHEASANTS. 
29 
qiiently destroying the eggs of the other birds, and tearing 
the young in pieces like hawks. ^ They may be known/ 
as Yarrell says, ^ by their partial want of brilliancy of tint ; 
the golden red feathers on the breast generally want the 
contrast of the broad dark velvet-like margin ; the legs and 
feet retaining their smaller and more female character, and 
are without spurs.' Another indication would be the 
smallness of size, and the absence of the short husky crow 
which distinguishes the cock, and which, as we have had 
occasion to observe, is seldom heard except at the breeding 
season. Usually, on going to roost, the male Pheasant 
makes a noise, which is called cockettinrj, and which he 
repeats several times ; the hen bird, as she flies up, utters 
one shrill cry, and then ceases. These are like notes of 
invitation to the watching poachers, who, thus informed, 
know exactly where to pitch upon their birds ; indeed, the 
peculiar habits of this species of game afford great facilities 
for its death or capture by the midnight depredator, while 
its great size and value renders it especially tempting to the 
needy and dissolute ; the average weight of the male bird 
is about two pounds and a half, but it has been knovv^n, as 
before observed, to weigh as much as four pounds and a 
half 
The white ring which is observable around the necks of 
those birds, which a:^e called on that account Einged 
Pheasants, does not appear to indicate a difference of 
species, although Temminck and some other authorities 
have considered otherwise. Most modern ornithologists 
agree to look upon this ring but as a mark of variety ; in 
some particular districts it prevails to a very great extent, 
in others it is rarely seen. The birds which have it, and 
those which have it not, breed together freely. It is the 
same with the pied and pure w^hite Pheasants, which are 
not uncommon. Instances are recorded of the Pheasant 
having paired with the Black Grouse, Guinea Fowl, and 
even the Turkey; a cross with the domestic fowl is by 
no means unfrequent, but the hybrid offspring is always 
unproductive. 
There is no other member of the magnificent Pliasionidce 
which can be called a British bird, although some others 
